A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of well-known activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as Verydarkman, over allegations of defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
According to the court order, the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies are mandated to apprehend Otse and present him before the court to address the accusations.
The warrant was issued by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following Otse’s failure to appear in court despite being summoned on March 5, 2025. His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, attempted to contest the bench warrant and assured the court he would personally bring his client. However, the magistrate rejected this appeal, emphasizing that security agencies must ensure Otse appears in court.
The case stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by Otse on social media, where he accused Mercy Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and diverting $345,000 from her former record label boss, Eezee Tee. Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to refute these claims, asserting that Otse’s statements were false and damaging to her reputation.
According to Chinwo’s legal representatives, Otse’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
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In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo has also filed a ₦1.1 billion lawsuit against Otse at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Her legal team is seeking a court order compelling Otse to delete and retract all defamatory statements, issue a public apology, and acknowledge the harm caused by his accusations.