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Politics VDM Faces Arrest After Missing Court Hearing in Mercy Chinwo Defamation Dispute

VDM Faces Arrest After Missing Court Hearing in Mercy Chinwo Defamation Dispute

17 Comments

VDM Dismisses Court Authority Amid Mercy Chinwo Defamation Showdown

A drama packed with controversy is unfolding in Abuja’s Chief Magistrate Court as social media influencer VeryDarkMan (real name Martins Otse) is now a wanted man—at least in the eyes of the law. Why? He skipped out on a highly publicized court session on March 5, 2025. The court didn’t take it lightly, immediately issuing a bench warrant for his arrest in the ongoing defamation suit brought by gospel star Mercy Chinwo.

At the center of this legal storm is a series of posts made by VDM between February 2nd and 17th, 2025. He didn’t hold back, accusing Mercy of siphoning off performance payments behind closed doors and orchestrating the arrest of her former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, known in the industry as EeZee Tee. Mercy’s camp shot back, labeling the accusations as nothing more than wild speculation with real-life consequences for her reputation.

The tension between social media’s growing influence and the legal system couldn’t be clearer. Mercy’s legal team showed up fully armed—with emails, payment receipts, and other documentary proof. Their goal? To squash VDM’s claims and prove they were more fiction than fact. According to them, VDM’s statements weren’t just inaccurate; they were damaging, casting a shadow over Mercy’s career and integrity.

VDM Remains Unapologetic, Declares 'I Can’t Be Silenced'

If the court was hoping for contrition, they got the opposite. VDM publicly brushed off the seriousness of the bench warrant, declaring the judiciary has no power to “shut him down.” His followers online lapped it up, while legal experts shook their heads, noting that ignoring a court order is anything but wise, especially when a criminal defamation charge is on the line. For now, the bold influencer seems unfazed—his defiance only fueling the debate over whether Nigeria’s legal system can keep up with the speed and reach of digital criticism.

Meanwhile, for the gospel music community, the issue hits a nerve. The rift between Mercy and her former manager EeZee Tee had already raised eyebrows behind the scenes, but VDM’s amplification dragged private matters into the internet’s harsh spotlight. Mercy’s move to tackle the attacks head-on in court sends a message that she isn’t willing to let rumors define her story. Still, as this saga grows, all eyes are on whether the judiciary will enforce its authority or if VDM’s voice will continue to echo, uncensored, across Nigeria’s digital airwaves.

About the author

Relebohile Motloung

I am a journalist focusing on daily news across Africa. I have a passion for uncovering untold stories and delivering factual, engaging content. Through my writing, I aim to bring attention to both the challenges and progress within diverse communities. I collaborate with various media outlets to ensure broad coverage and impactful narratives.

17 Comments

  1. Delaney Lynch
    Delaney Lynch

    Wow, what a wild ride this whole VDM saga has turned into, isn’t it??! The way the court issued a bench warrant on a single missed appearance, especially in a defamation case involving a beloved gospel star, really highlights how seriously the law can take online speech!! It also makes you think about the power dynamics between social media influencers and established legal institutions, doesn’t it??! I truly hope that both parties find a fair resolution, and that the voices of the community stay respectful and constructive throughout!!

  2. Nicholas Mangraviti
    Nicholas Mangraviti

    Skipping a court date is reckless. The law expects compliance, especially in defamation matters. VDM’s stance only undermines his credibility.

  3. Jared Greenwood
    Jared Greenwood

    The judiciary’s executive authority is non‑negotiable; any deviation constitutes a breach of procedural legitimacy. VDM’s rhetoric is nothing more than a populist façade attempting to hijack the public narrative.

  4. Sally Sparrow
    Sally Sparrow

    From an analytical standpoint, VDM’s claims are flimsy at best, bordering on malicious speculation. The evidence presented by Mercy’s legal team appears meticulously documented, rendering the influencer’s allegations essentially baseless. Moreover, the alleged “performance payment siphoning” lacks corroborative data, exposing a pattern of attention‑seeking provocation. This behavior erodes trust in digital discourse and sets a dangerous precedent for unfounded defamation. In short, VDM’s conduct is reprehensible.

  5. Eric Yee
    Eric Yee

    Yo VDM you’re playing with fire the courts aren’t a meme just because you have a big following it’s real life and you’ve got to face the music the evidence Mercy dropped is solid and the defamation charge isn’t a joke

  6. Sohila Sandher
    Sohila Sandher

    keep ur head up love, u’ll sort it out soon!

  7. Anthony Morgano
    Anthony Morgano

    Hey guys, just wanted to say it’s wild how fast this drama escalated 😅. Remember that the legal system still matters even online, so let’s stay chill and let the courts do their thing 👍.

  8. Holly B.
    Holly B.

    In accordance with procedural norms, the court’s issuance of a bench warrant is justified given the non‑appearance. The parties involved should adhere to the established legal framework without further delay.

  9. Lauren Markovic
    Lauren Markovic

    Y’all, this is a textbook case of influencer overreach 😤. Mercy’s team is coming in strong with receipts and emails 📄. Let’s see if VDM can actually back up his wild claims or if it’s just clickbait 🤔.

  10. Kathryn Susan Jenifer
    Kathryn Susan Jenifer

    Oh wow, another internet celebrity thinking he can rewrite the law with a single tweet, how original. It’s almost adorable how he believes “the judiciary has no power to shut him down” – as if the courts are just props in his personal drama series. The real drama, however, is watching his followers cheer on blatant contempt for the legal system. Spoiler alert: defamation isn’t a trending hashtag you can dodge.

  11. Jordan Bowens
    Jordan Bowens

    Honestly, it’s just noise. VDM loves drama, Mercy’s got receipts. End of story.

  12. Kimberly Hickam
    Kimberly Hickam

    When assessing the VDM-Mercy Chin‑wo dispute, one must first acknowledge the intrinsic conflict between digital immediacy and juridical deliberation; the former thrives on sensationalist bursts while the latter demands measured proof. It is evident that VDM’s narrative functions as a performative construct designed to amplify his personal brand rather than to illuminate genuine grievances. The alleged accusations of financial impropriety lack any substantive forensic accounting, reducing them to speculative rhetoric. Mercy’s legal response, conversely, is buttressed by documented transaction records, email correspondences, and contractual stipulations that collectively undermine VDM’s claims. Moreover, the strategic timing of VDM’s posts-coinciding with the release of a new gospel album-suggests an ulterior motive to sabotage commercial momentum. From a sociological perspective, this pattern epitomizes the modern phenomenon of “influencer vigilantism,” where personal vendettas are broadcasted under the guise of public interest. The bench warrant issued by the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court serves not merely as a punitive measure but as an affirmation of state authority over digital dissent. Ignoring a court summons, as VDM has done, constitutes contempt, a legal infraction that carries consequences beyond reputational damage. The defamation charge itself is anchored in statutory provisions that protect individuals from false statements that could impair their professional standing. In this context, Mercy’s reputation, meticulously cultivated over years of gospel ministry, is a protected asset. The potential erosion of that reputation due to unchecked rumors underscores the necessity of legal recourse. VDM’s declaration that “the judiciary has no power to shut him down” betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of constitutional checks and balances. While free speech is enshrined, it is not an absolute shield against accountability. The court’s willingness to enforce a warrant demonstrates a commitment to uphold the rule of law amidst the chaotic echo chambers of social media. Finally, the public should consider the broader implications: if influencers can sidestep judicial processes with impunity, the precedent set may embolden further erosion of legal respect in the digital age.

  13. Gift OLUWASANMI
    Gift OLUWASANMI

    Yo Kimberly, you just turned a simple courtroom drama into a PhD dissertation, lol. All that high‑falutin talk about “influencer vigilantism” but you miss the fact that VDM’s fans actually believe he’s a hero. Your analysis sounds pretentious, but the streets are saying he’s just another click‑bait hustler.

  14. Keith Craft
    Keith Craft

    Dearest gentlemen and ladies, the saga unfurls like a tragic opera, each act more melodramatic than the last! My heart aches at the sheer theatricality of it all, for VDM’s plight is a lamentable concerto of hubris and folly. The courtroom becomes a stage, the witnesses-mere choristers in this grand performance, and we, the audience, are left to weep or gawk.

  15. Kara Withers
    Kara Withers

    I appreciate the vivid metaphor, Keith, yet it’s essential we ground our discussion in the concrete facts. The evidence presented by Mercy’s counsel is verifiable, and VDM’s assertions remain unsubstantiated. Encouraging respectful dialogue rather than theatrical dramatics will serve the community better.

  16. boy george
    boy george

    While your calm tone is noted the core issue remains VDM’s breach of legal duty he must face consequences

  17. Cheryl Dixon
    Cheryl Dixon

    Interestingly enough the whole uproar might just be a diversion from deeper industry flaws that go unexamined; perhaps the focus on VDM’s courtroom drama masks systemic issues of royalty transparency and power imbalances that deserve our attention.

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