Nathaniel Bassey, a gospel singer, has requested the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute four individuals who wrongly accused him of being the father of Mercy Chinwo’s child.
Bassey’s legal team submitted the petition on April 1, 2024, alleging criminal defamation and cyberstalking against social media users named Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid.
Last week, four people on social media alleged that Bassey fathered the child of another well-known gospel singer, and this accusation became very popular on X (formerly Twitter).
Bassey’s legal team stressed the seriousness of the situation, explaining that false accusations not only damage Bassey’s reputation but also have significant effects on his personal and professional life.
The petition stated, “Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and services have influenced the lives of many people worldwide from various walks of life.
“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 greatly disturbed to discover that the above-mentioned suspects, as troublemakers with a criminal intent to ruin our client's image and character, had made various social media posts containing defamatory material, referring to our client as 'the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,' a woman who is married to another man.
“Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike's post has since gone viral on the platform. In response 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.'
“On the platform 'X', formerly Twitter, 'Dj SpoiltKid', a verified 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 saying, ‘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).
The legal team argued that the social media posts by the four individuals amounted to character assassination.
They said the actions violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, along with Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
“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,” the petition added.
