Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has lodged a petition with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against four individuals who accused him of paternity fraud.
Bassey is seeking investigation and prosecution for criminal defamation and cyberstalking. The petition, submitted through his legal representatives, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia, was delivered to the IGP on April 1, 2024. According to reports from The Nation, the four social media users alleged that Bassey fathered the child of another popular gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo. Bassey’s lawyers have urged police authorities to promptly address the petition against the individuals identified as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and DJ Spoiltkid.
“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,” the petition partly read.
“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 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.”
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“In a post on the platform “X” formerly known as Twitter, “Dj SpoiltKid” a verified X user, quoted the statement by Okoronkwo Ejike with a screenshot of the post and added, “When are we doing DNA test?”
” In another post, Mr. Terrence Ekot, on the platform “X” said:: “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?”
The lawyers said the social media posts by the four individuals amounted to assassination of Bassey’s character.
“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 aspersions on the good name built by our client over the years”.
The attorneys claimed that the four people’s purported acts violated Sections 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) and Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Making such comments on social media has been known to have negative effects on people’s reputations, make marriages unstable, and many people never fully recover from them. Gaining an international reputation takes time and is beneficial to both the individual and the country.
“Therefore, in the interest of justice, we implore you to use your good offices to look into this matter, apprehend, and prosecute the suspect, which will serve as a deterrent to others.”
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