Gospel sensation Mercy Chinwo has initiated legal action against popular social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over alleged defamatory statements. The lawsuit was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Allegations and Defamation Claims The lawsuit arises from accusations made by VDM on social media, where he alleged that Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute and had diverted $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also called EeZee Tee. These claims, according to Chinwo, are entirely false and damaging to her reputation. Legal documents submitted by Chinwo’s counsel, Pelumi Olajengbesi, demand that VDM immediately delete all defamatory content, issue a retraction, and publicly apologize for the false claims. The singer also provided substantial documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove that the allegations were baseless. Court Proceedings and Legal Demands On February 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos upheld the existing arrest warrant for EeZee Tee regarding alleged fraudulent conversion, with the arraignment scheduled for March 6, 2025. However, the new lawsuit against VDM focuses solely on the defamation of Mercy Chinwo. According to Olajengbesi, VDM made a series of Instagram posts on February 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 17, 2025, in which he claimed that Chinwo had been booking shows independently and failing to remit payments to the record label. These statements, the lawsuit contends, were made maliciously to tarnish the singer’s reputation and mislead the public. Chinwo’s Response and Legal Reliefs Sought Chinwo asserts that she has no personal or professional relationship with VDM and that his portrayal of her in his videos was both defamatory and injurious to her career. The lawsuit seeks several legal remedies, including: Impact of Defamation on Public Figures Defamation cases involving celebrities are becoming more common in the digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly. This case highlights the potential consequences of making unverified claims online. For more legal insights into defamation and its implications in Nigeria, visit this reliable legal resource. Conclusion As the case unfolds, the entertainment industry and the public eagerly await the court’s ruling. Mercy Chinwo’s legal action against VeryDarkMan underscores the importance of accountability in online content creation. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has accused her ex-manager, Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee), of sponsoring false news regarding her son and fellow gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey. Read the full story here. Mercy Chinwo Accuses Former Manager of Spreading False News About Son, Nathaniel Bassey Renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has publicly accused her former manager, Ezekiel ThankGod, also known as Eezeetee, of funding and spreading false reports regarding her newborn son. Mercy, who welcomed her first child with her husband, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, on October 28, 2023, found herself at the center of controversy when rumors surfaced that fellow gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey was the child’s biological father. Addressing the issue in an emotional video shared on social media, Mercy claimed that her ex-manager was the mastermind behind the damaging rumors. “One of my biggest offenses was collaborating with Pastor Nathaniel Bassey on a song. Because of his hatred for Pastor Nathaniel, he went as far as funding fake news about my innocent child. He even paid bloggers to spread these lies,” Mercy stated while fighting back tears. She further alleged that Eezeetee also harbored resentment towards Pastor Jerry Eze, restricting her from attending his events. “Anyone he disliked, I was forced to dislike as well. If I dared question him about it, he would start harassing me,” she added. Mercy’s comments align with the statement issued by her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, on January 25, 2024. She clarified that she had not pursued any legal action regarding her music rights but insisted that Ezekiel was painting himself as the victim despite his alleged history of bullying. The ‘Excess Love’ hitmaker revealed that the toxicity of her working relationship with Ezekiel forced her to relocate from Port Harcourt to Lagos to safeguard her peace and career. “You have bloggers; I have God,” Mercy declared confidently, expressing faith that she would rise above the situation despite the attacks. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. Conclusion: This controversy has sparked widespread reactions among fans and the gospel music community. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your views in the comments section below! READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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The founder of Eeze Conceptz Limited, Mr. Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has dismissed allegations made against him by popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, labeling them as unfounded and baseless. In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Mr. Maxwell Opara, Onyedikachukwu’s legal representative, clarified that Chinwo’s accusations, including claims of financial misappropriation, were false and had no merit. False Allegations and Contract Disputes Opara accused Chinwo of violating the terms of her record label and management contract with Eeze Conceptz Limited, while also presenting misleading information to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Onyedikachukwu. Contrary to claims made by the EFCC, Opara emphasized that Onyedikachukwu was never Chinwo’s manager but rather her producer. He revealed that Onyedikachukwu discovered Mercy Chinwo in 2017, nurtured her talent, and played a pivotal role in her rise to fame within the gospel music industry. Additionally, the lawyer categorically denied allegations that Onyedikachukwu diverted $345,000 in royalties from the singer. EFCC’s Arrest Warrant Under Scrutiny Opara highlighted inconsistencies in the EFCC’s case against his client. He stated that: “These allegations are false and appear to be part of a coordinated smear campaign by Mercy Chinwo and the EFCC,” Opara said. He further disclosed that a fundamental rights enforcement suit had been filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on July 17, 2024, to prevent further harassment, arrest, and detention of Onyedikachukwu. Contractual Obligations and Legal Recourse According to Opara, Chinwo signed a five-year contract with Eeze Conceptz Limited in 2017, which included terms on the ownership of her music catalog and revenue splits. However, Chinwo allegedly failed to honor the agreement. In light of these developments, Onyedikachukwu has initiated legal proceedings to set aside the EFCC’s arrest warrant, expressing confidence that the courts will act justly when presented with the facts. Public Advised to Ignore False Claims The lawyer urged the public to disregard defamatory publications targeting Onyedikachukwu and Eeze Conceptz Limited, asserting that the accusations are part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the label’s reputation. “These schemes are designed to malign the label and its founder, but they will be firmly challenged within the boundaries of the law,” Opara added. Next Court Hearing Scheduled Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the matter until January 24, 2025, for Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment. The arrest warrant was issued following an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC lawyer Bilikisu Buhari, citing alleged diversion of royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
