4th April, 2024
By Joshua Olomu
An Abuja Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6, has issued Criminal Summons on five persons for alleging on the social media that a popular Gospel Singer Nathaniel Bassey fathered the of son of her colleague, Mercy Chinwo.
The five suspects who are to appear before the court on April 23 are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie, for alleged defamation of Mercy Chinwo.
The summons was issued followed a Direct Criminal Complaint filed by Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, husband of Mercy, against the five individuals for Criminal Defamation through his lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
Uzochikwa said the alleged acts of Criminal Defamation was carried out through deliberate circulation of injurious falsehood, cyber bullying and cyberstalking.
The defendants made the allegations on their social media accounts when Mercy and her husband posted pictures of their son and themselves on different social media platforms on March 29.
According to them, the Uzochikwas’ son has a vivid semblance of Bassey, insinuating he could possibly be the real father of the child.
Ejike’s post read: “This Mercy Chinwo’s child she was hiding after giving birth, but the truth is that this baby looks exactly like singer Nathaniel Bassey.
“Nothing anybody wants to reason with me oh. This child is Nathaniel Bassey’s Baby. Maybe a secret away match occurred; otherwise, how can we make empirical sense of this.”
Terrence Ekot post on the platform “X” reads: “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, what do you have to say?”
The posts have since caused buzz on social media, with many calling out Bassey on why he should be involved in such an appalling act .
Similarly, Bassey, who has done several music collaboration with Chinwo, also petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the allegation.
In a petition filed by his lawyers, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia, he asked the IGP to investigate and prosecute the social media users who accused him of alleged paternity fraud.
The lawyers said the social media posts by the individuals amounted to complete assassination of Bassey’s character and therefore urged the police authorities to urgently treat the petition against them. (NAN)