The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 has called upon five individuals active on social media for allegedly damaging the reputation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo, and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
In the court summons issued on April 3, 2024, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna instructed the five defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2023, to address the charges brought against them by the complainants.
Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo initiated the complaint, naming Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie as the defendants.
The legal action arose following posts made by the defendants after the gospel singer and her husband shared a photo of their son on Instagram. The defendants suggested a resemblance between the baby, born in 2023, and another gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, asserting that he was the father, which quickly gained traction online.
In their criminal complaint, Mercy Chinwo and her husband, represented by lawyers from the Abuja-based Law Corridor, accused the defendants of cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking aimed at them.
The complainants alleged that the defendants’ actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015, causing significant damage to their reputation and image globally.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna subsequently summoned the five defendants to appear before the court on April 23, 2024, to respond to the charges.
Nathaniel Bassey Lodges Complaint with IGP
Nathaniel Bassey also took legal action in the matter. The renowned singer, through his legal representatives, petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, urging an investigation and prosecution of four individuals for criminal defamation and cyberstalking. The individuals named in Bassey’s petition are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and DJ Spoiltkid.
Bassey’s lawyers argued that the actions of the four individuals violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
They emphasized the potential consequences of such statements on social media, highlighting their detrimental impact on individuals’ reputations and relationships, both domestically and internationally.
Bassey, also known as “Pastor Nath,” is recognized for his online interdenominational worship program, Hallelujah Challenge, and serves as a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
