The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 has summoned five social media users to appear for alleged criminal defamation of the reputation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.
The court summons, dated April 3, 2024, directed the defendants to appear in person on April 23, 2024, to answer the charges brought against them by the complainants.
The complainants in the case, Blessed Uzochikwa and Mercy Chinwo, identified five defendants: Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
The suit arose from posts made by the defendants after Mercy Chinwo and her husband shared a picture of their son on Instagram.
The defendants alleged a resemblance between the baby and another gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, claiming that he was the father.
In response, the complainants filed a criminal complaint, stating that the defendants’ actions constituted cyber intimidation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking.
Their lawyers argued that the defendants’ actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015, resulting in reputational damage and cyberstalking.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, after reviewing the complaint, ordered the five defendants to appear in court to answer the charges on April 23, 2024.
