The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 has summoned five social media users for “criminal defamation” of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed 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 the complainants.
The complainants in this case are Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo, while the five defendants are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
The claim originated from the defendants’ posts last week, after the gospel singer and her husband shared an Instagram photo of their son. After posting a picture of the baby, who was born in 2023, the defendants claimed that the infant resembled another gospel musician, Nathaniel Bassey, and that he was the father, an allegation that went viral.
Mercy Chinwo and her husband filed a criminal complaint against the defendants, lead by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, alleging cyber intimidation, injurious lying, and cyberstalking directed at their persons.
The complainants claimed the defendants’ alleged conduct violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.
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,” the lawyers stated in a criminal complaint filed before the magistrate.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna then directed the five defendants to appear in court on April 23, 2024, to answer the allegations.
Nathaniel Bassey Petitions IGP
Bassey has also taken action over the matter. The ‘Jesus Iye’ crooner — through his lawyers — had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute four persons whom he accused of criminal defamation and cyberstalking. The four social media users in Bassey’s petition are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and Dj Spoiltkid.
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, popularly known as “Pastor Nath” is the convener of online interdenominational worship programme, Hallelujah Challenge. He also pastors a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).