Mercy Chinwo Sues VeryDarkMan for Defamation, Seeks N1.1bn in Damages

Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has filed a lawsuit against social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over alleged defamation.

In February, VDM accused Chinwo of misappropriating funds from her performances without compensating her former record label, owned by Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu. He further alleged that she breached her contract before parting ways with the label.

In a lawsuit dated March 3, Chinwo’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described these statements as “libellous, malicious, and damaging” to the singer’s reputation.

Olajengbesi argued that VDM was not involved in the dispute between Chinwo and EeZee Tee but still made public claims that misrepresented the situation, harming her image. He accused VDM of sharing multiple videos with his millions of followers, portraying Chinwo in a “caricaturist and disdainful manner” while siding with EeZee Tee.

“The Claimant avers that she has never had any form of relationship with the Defendant, nor was he involved in the issue between her and Mr. EeZee Tee in any material way,” the lawyer stated.

“The statements made by the Defendant in his published videos were as though he was directly involved in the matter. However, these statements were not only false but also damaging to the Claimant’s public image and reputation.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling VDM to delete the alleged defamatory posts from all his social media platforms. Additionally, Olajengbesi demands that VDM issue a public retraction and an unreserved apology on all his social media platforms and in two widely circulated national newspapers.

Furthermore, the lawyer is requesting N1 billion in general damages for defamation, N100 million as punitive and aggravated damages, N25 million for the cost of the lawsuit, and 10% interest per annum on the judgment sum until full payment.

He also urged the court to mandate VDM to publish the apology in four national newspapers for at least 14 consecutive days.

This legal action follows Chinwo’s earlier allegations in January, where she accused Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee, of exploitation, threats to her life, and spreading false rumors regarding her child’s paternity.

In an Instagram video, Chinwo claimed that she had to relocate from Lagos to Port Harcourt for her safety due to these threats. Without directly mentioning his name, she said, “He threatened my life, and I had to leave Lagos to seek safety.”