Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has filed a N1 billion defamation lawsuit against social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The legal action follows alleged defamatory statements made by VeryDarkMan on social media, accusing Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and allegedly diverting $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee.
Chinwo, through her lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi, is seeking a court order compelling VeryDarkMan to delete all defamatory posts, issue a public retraction, and publish an apology across his social media platforms and in national newspapers.
She has also demanded that the apology be published in four national dailies for at least 14 consecutive days.
In support of her claims, Chinwo has presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove that VeryDarkMan’s allegations are false and damaging to her reputation.
Her legal team argued that the accusations have caused significant harm to her public image, professional credibility, and emotional well-being.
The lawsuit comes amid an ongoing legal case against EeZee Tee. On February 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the arrest warrant against him over allegations of fraudulent conversion remains valid, adjourning the case to March 6, 2025, for arraignment.
Chinwo’s lawyer contended that VeryDarkMan made the defamatory posts without provocation and with the deliberate intent of tarnishing her reputation.
He claimed that between February 2 and February 17, 2025, VeryDarkMan shared multiple videos accusing Chinwo of securing gigs behind her record label’s back and failing to remit payments.
The lawyer also noted that the social media personality’s videos portrayed a biased and distorted version of events, favoring EeZee Tee while ridiculing Chinwo.
According to Chinwo, she has never had any personal or professional dealings with VeryDarkMan, and he was never involved in the dispute between her and EeZee Tee.
She maintained that his statements falsely suggested inside knowledge of the matter, despite being completely untrue and damaging to her reputation.
As part of her demands, Chinwo is seeking N1 billion in general damages for defamation, N100 million in punitive and aggravated damages, and N25 million to cover the cost of the lawsuit.
She is also requesting a court order requiring VeryDarkMan to pay an annual 10% interest on the judgment sum until full payment is made.
Her legal team insisted that the allegations have not only harmed her career but have also subjected her to public ridicule, making it necessary for the court to hold the defendant accountable for his statements.
(Prompt news)