Gospel artist, Nathaniel Bassey, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, over reports on social media that he is the father of the child of fellow gospel music artist, Mercy Chinwo.
The petition, centred around criminal defamation and cyberstalking, was filed by Bassey’s legal representatives.
Submitted on April 1, 2024, Bassey identified those behind the reports, on X, as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and DJ Spoiltkid.
The petition read: “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.
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“On Friday, the 29th day of March 2024, Mercy Chinwo Blessed, another popular gospel music minister, and her husband posted pictures of their son and themselves on different social media platforms.
“However, our client was disheartened, saddened, and grossly disturbed to find that the above-mentioned suspects, as mischief makers with a criminal intent to destroy the image and character of our client, had made different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our client ‘the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a woman who is married to another man.
“The post by Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike has since gone viral on the platform.
“In reaction to the post, Mr. Kingsley Ibeh commented on Mr. Okoronkwo’s post with a picture of our client with the caption ‘The real father of the baby.’
“In a post on the platform ‘X’ formerly known as Twitter, ‘Dj SpoiltKid’ a verified X user, quoted the statement by Okoronkwo Ejike along with a screenshot of the post and added, ‘When are we doing a DNA test?’
“In another post, Mr. Terrence Ekot, on the platform ‘X’ made a post thus: ‘Take a look at the stunning resemblance of mercy chinwo’s son and Nathaniel Bassey. Though the duo has been working together on several projects in the past..what do you have to say?” (sic).
Bassey’s lawyers said the social media posts by the four amounted to character assassination, adding that it violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, along with Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The petition further said: “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.”
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