Mercy Chinwo sues VeryDarkMan over defamation claims

Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has filed a ₦1.1 billion defamation lawsuit against social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The suit stems from VDM’s viral social media posts regarding Chinwo’s ongoing contract dispute with her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EezeeTee. Chinwo, through her lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi, is demanding that VDM retract his statements, issue a public apology, and delete all posts related to her on social media.

The controversy began after reports surfaced that Chinwo and EezeeTee were in a legal battle over the alleged diversion of $345,000 in royalties. A Federal High Court in Lagos recently upheld an arrest warrant for EezeeTee in connection with the case and adjourned his arraignment until March 6, 2025.

However, Chinwo claims that VDM defamed her in multiple Instagram posts between February 2 and 17, 2025. In his posts, VDM accused the singer of secretly booking shows without remitting payments to her former label, portraying her in what Chinwo’s legal team describes as a “caricaturist and disdainful” manner.

In the suit, Chinwo argues that VDM was never involved in her dispute with EezeeTee but positioned himself as an insider, making false and damaging claims that have harmed her reputation.

Her legal team is seeking several court orders, including:

A directive for VDM to delete all defamatory posts.

A public apology to be published on his social media platforms and in at least four national newspapers for 14 consecutive days.

₦1 billion in general damages for defamation.

₦100 million in punitive and aggravated damages.

₦25 million as the cost of the lawsuit.

10% interest per annum on the judgment sum until full payment.