By Seyi Babalola
The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, has summoned five social media users over their involvement in the defamation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo; and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
In the court summons dated April 3, 2024, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed the five defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2023, to answer to charges levelled against them by the complainants.
The complainants in the case are Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo while the five defendants are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
The suit followed posts the defendants made last week after the gospel singer and her husband posted a picture of their son on Instagram.
After posting the picture of the baby, the defendants alleged that there was a resemblance between the baby and another gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, and claimed that he was the father, an allegation that went viral.
In a criminal complaint filed by the complainants’ lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, Mercy Chinwo and her husband said the alleged actions of the defendants amounted to cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking targeted at their persons.
The complainants said the alleged actions of the defendants are contrary to Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna thereafter ordered the five defendants to appear before the court on April 23, 2024, to answer the charges.
