Nathaniel Bassey petitions IG, accuses social media users of defamation

Bassey’s attorneys submitted the petition on April 1, 2024, alleging felony defamation and cyberstalking in opposition to the social media customers recognized as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid.

Last week, four social media customers alleged that Bassey fathered the son of a fellow familiar gospel singer, an allegation that went viral on X (previously Twitter).

Bassey’s attorneys emphasised the gravity of the scenario, stating that such false accusations not solely hurt Bassey’s fame but also have broader penalties on private and professional fronts.

The petition says, “Our consumer is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks of life throughout the globe.

“On Friday, the twenty-ninth day of March 2024, Mercy Chinwo Blessed, another common gospel music minister, and her husband posted photos of their son and themselves on totally different social media platforms.

“Nonetheless, our consumer was disheartened, saddened, and grossly disturbed to learn that the above-mentioned suspects, as mischief makers with a felony intent to destroy our consumer’s picture and character, had made totally different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our consumer ‘the daddy of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a girl who’s married to a different 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 an image of our consumer with the caption, ‘The actual father of the child.

“In a put up on the platform “X” previously referred to as Twitter, “Dj SpoiltKid” a verified X person, quoted the assertion by Okoronkwo Ejike together with a screenshot of the put up and added, ‘When are we doing a DNA take a look at?’

“In one other post, Mr Terrence Ekot, on the platform “X,” made a post that reads: ‘Check out the gorgeous resemblance of Mercy Chinwo’s son and Nathaniel Bassey. Although the duo has been working collectively on a number of tasks previously, what do you need to say?’” (sic).

The attorneys argued that the social media posts by the four people amounted to character assassination.

They mentioned the actions violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Felony Code Act, together with Part 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and so on.) Act.

“The implications of creating such statements on social media have been identified to tarnish people’s reputations, render marriages unstable, and lots of by no means recuperate from them. Worldwide fame is an asset—each for the person and the nation—and it takes time to amass.

“Consequently, we urge you to make use of your good workplaces to, within the curiosity of justice, examine this matter, arrest, and produce the suspect to justice, which can function as a deterrent to others,” the petition added.