Gospel Artist Nathaniel Bassey Petitions IG Over Defamatory Social Media Reports
Renowned gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey has taken legal action by petitioning the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, regarding false reports circulating on social media alleging that he fathered the child of fellow gospel music artist Mercy Chinwo.
Bassey’s legal representatives filed the petition on April 1, 2024, citing criminal defamation and cyberstalking against the individuals behind the misleading reports.
In the petition, Bassey identified Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and DJ Spoiltkid as the culprits responsible for spreading the defamatory content.
According to the petition, Bassey expressed deep dismay and distress upon discovering that these individuals had made numerous social media posts falsely claiming him to be the father of Mercy Chinwo’s child. Chinwo is married to another man, making the allegations baseless and damaging to Bassey’s reputation.
One of the accused, Okoronkwo Ejike, posted defamatory content suggesting Bassey’s paternity of Chinwo’s child, which quickly went viral. Kingsley Ibeh commented on Ejike’s post, reinforcing the false claim. Additionally, DJ Spoiltkid and Terrence Ekot made similar statements on the platform ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter.
Bassey’s legal team asserted that such malicious posts constituted character assassination and violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
In the petition, Bassey’s lawyers highlighted the severe repercussions of such false accusations on individuals’ reputations and personal lives. They emphasized the need for swift investigation and legal action to ensure justice is served and to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.
The petition concluded with an earnest plea to the Inspector-General of Police to use his authority to investigate the matter thoroughly, apprehend the suspects, and bring them to justice, thus safeguarding the integrity of individuals and preventing further harm from online defamation.
