Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa, have taken legal action against five social media users for criminal defamation.
The couple decided to file a lawsuit after Nathaniel Bassey petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, due to claims that he fathered Mercy’s six-month-old son.
The defendants – Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ SpoiltKid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie – alleged on their social media accounts that the gospel singer was the biological father of Mercy’s son.
These allegations were made after Mercy and her husband unveiled their son’s identity on social media on 29 March.
The lawsuit was filed by the couple’s lawyers, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, as reported by Channels TV on Thursday. The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, has subsequently summoned the five defendants for defamation based on the complaints, with a court date set for 23rd April.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed the defendants to appear in person before the court to address the charges brought against them by Mercy Chinwo and her husband.
The complainants argued that the defendants’ actions constituted cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking aimed at them, which goes against the Penal Code and Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
In response to the legal action, two of the defendants, Mr Ejike and DJ SpoiltKid, have issued apologies on their social media platforms.
They expressed regret for the distress caused by their posts and clarified that their intentions were not to endorse or validate the allegations. DJ SpoiltKid emphasized his commitment to sharing news from various sources and apologized for any misunderstanding caused.
Meanwhile, the other three defendants have yet to respond to the petitions.
