Mercy Chinwo, a Nigerian gospel singer and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa have sued five social media users for criminal defamation.
The social media users are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
According to documents obtained by Channels TV, the complainants said the alleged actions of the defendants are contrary to Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (prohibition, prevention etc.) Act 2015.
Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, has summoned the five social media users for “criminal defamation” of the reputation of Chinwo and her husband, Uzochikwa.
In the court summons dated April 3, 2024, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the five defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2023, to answer the charges levelled against them.
The suit stemmed from posts made by the defendants last week alleging that the complainants’ child was fathered by a gospel musician, Nathaniel Bassey.
The gospel singer and her husband had posted a picture of their son who was born in 2023 on Instagram.
In a criminal complaint filed by the complainants’ lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based media firm, Law Corridor, Mercy Chinwo and her husband said the alleged actions of the defendants amounted to cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking targeted at their persons.
The complainants said the alleged actions of the defendants are contrary to Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The lawyers said the “individuals criminally injured the reputation and image of the complainants across the globe resulting from their intentional defamatory posts and an act of cyberstalking”.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna thereafter directed the five defendants to appear before the court on April 23, 2024, to answer the charges.
On Wednesday, Nathaniel Bassey had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute four persons whom he also accused of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.
The singer submitted the petition to the IGP on April 1, 2024, through his lawyers, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye and Anthony Abia.
Some social media users identified as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and Dj Spoiltkid, reportedly alleged that Bassey fathered the son of fellow popular gospel singer Chinwo.
The allegation subsequently went viral on X (former Twitter) and Instagram.
Through his lawyers, Bassey appealed to the police chief to attend to his petition against the four social media users, to clear his name.
According to him, their posts amount to the complete assassination of his character.
“Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks of life across the globe,” the petition partly reads.