UPDATE: COURT SUMMONS FIVE PERSONS FOR CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF MERCY CHINWO
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Five social media users have been summoned by the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, for “criminal defamation” of the reputations of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed the five defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2023, to respond to the accusations brought against the complainants, as per the court summons dated April 3, 2024 that Channels Television was able to view.
Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo are the complainants in this case, and Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie are the five defendants.
The gospel singer and her husband uploaded a photo of their son to Instagram last week, which sparked the lawsuit based on statements made by the defendants. The defendants claimed that they were the baby’s father and that the child resembled another gospel musician, Nathaniel Bassey, after the baby’s 2023 birth photo was shared online. This claim quickly gained traction.
Mercy Chinwo and her husband filed a criminal complaint, claiming that the defendants had engaged in cyberstalking, injurious untruth, and intimidation directed at them, under the direction of Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based legal firm Law Corridor.
The complainants claimed that the defendants’ purported conduct violated Sections 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and Section 391 of the Penal Code.
In a criminal complaint submitted to the magistrate, the attorneys claimed that 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 five defendants were then ordered by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna to come before the court on April 23, 2024, to respond to the charges.
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).
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