The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, has issued summonses to five social media users for alleged “criminal defamation” of the reputation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the defendants – Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie – to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2024, to respond to the charges leveled against them.
The complaint stems from posts made by the defendants following the gospel singer and her husband’s Instagram post of their son.
The defendants alleged a resemblance between the baby and another gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, falsely claiming he was the father.
In a criminal complaint filed by the complainants’ lawyers, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, Chinwo and her husband asserted that the defendants’ actions amounted to cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking.
According to the complaint, the defendants’ alleged actions contravene Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed the defendants to appear before the court on April 23, 2024, to address the charges against them.
In a related development, gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has also taken legal action.
Through his lawyers, he petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, urging investigation and prosecution of four individuals – Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid – for criminal defamation and cyberstalking.
Bassey’s lawyers said the alleged actions of the four individuals contravened Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.).
“The consequences of making such statements on social media have been known to tarnish the reputations of individuals, render marriages unstable, and many never recover from them. International reputation is an asset—both for the individual and for the nation—and it takes time to acquire.
“Consequently, we urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspect to justice, which will serve as a deterrent to others.”
Bassey, known as “Pastor Nath,” is renowned for his online worship program, Hallelujah Challenge, and pastors a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
