Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has reacted defiantly after a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for his arrest over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The arrest order, issued by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna on March 13, 2025, followed VDM’s failure to honor a court summons dated March 5. The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have been directed to apprehend him upon his return to the country.
However, in a bold response via his Instagram story, VDM, who is currently outside Nigeria, dismissed the arrest order and dared law enforcement to detain him at the airport upon his arrival.
“I dey come Naija very soon, make una ready to arrest me for airport. Arrest no be new thing for the Ratel na,” he wrote in Pidgin, indicating he was unbothered by the legal action.
The case stems from allegations that VDM made defamatory claims about Chinwo, including accusations related to a financial dispute involving her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee). Chinwo has filed both a criminal complaint and a ₦1.1 billion civil lawsuit, seeking damages and a public retraction.
Legal analysts suggest that VDM’s defiance could escalate tensions and worsen his legal troubles. If arrested, he could face trial under Nigeria’s strict cybercrime and defamation laws.
