Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has petitioned the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute four individuals for criminal defamation and cyberstalking.
Bassey alleges that the individuals spread false claims, accusing him of fathering a child with another gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo Blessed.
“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,” his lawyers said in the petition.
The singer submitted the petition to the IGP on April 1, 2024, through his lawyers, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia.
Bassey’s legal team has urged swift action to address the matter and prevent further damage to his reputation.
The suspects include “X” users, formerly twitter, One Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike, Mr. Kingsley Ibeh, another verified user, Spoiltkid and Mr. Terrence Ekot.
The lawyers wrote in the petition that; “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 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 duo has been working together on several projects in the past..what do you have to say?” (sic)
“These nefarious acts of these suspects, if not immediately dealt with, will continue to destroy our client’s image, injure his reputation, assassinate his character, and cast aspersion on the good name built by our client over the years.
They also believed the 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.
“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.”
