Five social media users have been summoned by the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, on allegations of criminal defamation of the reputation of renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
The court summons, issued by Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna and dated April 3, 2024, orders the defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2024, to respond to the charges brought against them by the complainants.
The complainants in the case are Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo, while the five defendants named are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
The legal action stems from posts made by the defendants following a picture posted by the gospel singer and her husband on Instagram of their son, born in 2023. Allegations circulated by the defendants claimed a resemblance between the baby and another gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, suggesting he was the father. These claims quickly went viral.
In a criminal complaint filed by the complainants’ legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based media firm Law Corridor, Mercy Chinwo and her husband asserted that the defendants’ actions amounted to cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking directed at them.
The complainants argue that these actions are in violation of Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
“The intentional defamatory posts and acts of cyberstalking have criminally injured the reputation and image of the complainants across the globe,” stated the lawyers in the criminal complaint filed before the magistrate.
In response, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna has directed the five defendants to appear before the court on April 23, 2024, to address the charges.
Meanwhile, gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has taken legal action as well. Through his legal representatives, Bassey petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and prosecute 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 argue that the actions of the four individuals contravene Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The petition emphasizes the serious consequences of such statements on social media, which can tarnish reputations, destabilize marriages, and have long-lasting repercussions.
“We urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspects to justice,” the petition concludes, “which will serve as a deterrent to others.”
