Gospel Star Mercy Chinwo Sues VeryDarkMan For Defamation, Seeks N1.1 Billion In Damages.
Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has launched a defamation lawsuit against social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), demanding a staggering N1.1 billion in damages. The suit, filed on 3 March at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, accuses Otse of making false and damaging statements that have tarnished the singer’s reputation.
The legal action follows a series of social media posts by VeryDarkMan in February, in which he alleged that Chinwo diverted funds from performances without remitting payments to her former record label, EeZee Conceptz, owned by Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee. Otse further claimed that the singer breached her contract before parting ways with the label. Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, has branded these accusations as “libellous, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” arguing that they were designed to harm her public image and standing within the gospel music community.
According to court documents, Chinwo is seeking N1 billion in general damages for defamation, N100 million in punitive and aggravated damages, and an additional N25 million to cover legal costs. Beyond financial compensation, the singer is also requesting a court order compelling VeryDarkMan to retract his statements, remove the offending posts from his social media platforms, and issue a public apology. This apology, her lawyers insist, must be published in four national newspapers for 14 consecutive days to mitigate the widespread harm caused by the allegations.
The dispute has its roots in a broader feud between Chinwo and her former label boss, EeZee Tee. Earlier this year, the singer accused Onyedikachukwu of exploitation, claiming he withheld royalties worth approximately $345,000 and subjected her to a toxic working environment. She also alleged that he spread false rumours about her child’s paternity and issued threats that forced her to relocate from Lagos to Port Harcourt for safety. EeZee Tee has denied these claims, calling for an audit to address the financial allegations, while a separate legal case against him for alleged fraudulent conversion remains ongoing in Lagos.
Chinwo’s legal representatives argue that VeryDarkMan, who has no direct involvement in the dispute between the singer and her ex-manager, deliberately misrepresented the situation to his thousands of followers. “The defendant’s statements were not only false but presented as though he had personal knowledge of the matter, which he did not,” Olajengbesi stated in the lawsuit. “This reckless portrayal has caused immeasurable damage to our client’s career and emotional well-being.”
VeryDarkMan, known for his provocative online commentary, has yet to formally respond to the lawsuit. However, posts on X suggest he remains defiant, with one user quoting him as saying, “They have court, I have God,” in reaction to the legal action. The case has sparked widespread discussion online, with fans of both Chinwo and VeryDarkMan weighing in on the controversy.
As the courtroom showdown looms, legal experts predict that the outcome could set a significant precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria. For Mercy Chinwo, whose gospel hits like “Excess Love” have earned her a devoted following, the lawsuit represents a firm stand against what she sees as an unjust attack on her character. The case is expected to draw intense public scrutiny as it unfolds, with a hearing anticipated in the coming weeks.