By Beatrice Manka’a
Nigerian gospel singer and instrumentalist, Nathaniel Bassey, has taken legal action against some social media bloggers for spreading false claims about his personal life.
Bassey wrote to the Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging for the prosecution five individuals who alleged that he fathered the son of renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Bassay, who has collaborated with Mercy Chinwo on several musical releases, said the claims were false and could break his marriage.
The controversy started after Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Pastor Blessed, shared a photo of their child on social media on March 29th, 2024.
However, some individuals gridded Nathaniel Bassey’s picture with that of the child and alleged that Bassey was the father.
In his letter to the prosecutor, Nathaniel Bassey cited criminal defamation of character as the basis for legal action against the perpetrators.
The individuals named in Bassey’s letter to the IGP include Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie.
Additionally, Mercy Chinwo’s husband, Pastor Blessed, has also initiated legal proceedings against the same individuals for their defamatory remarks.
Through their lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, managing partners of Law Corridor based in Abuja, Mercy Chinwo and her husband have taken legal action to protect their family’s privacy and reputation.
Local media outlets have reported that the five suspects have been summoned to appear in court at the magistrate court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on April 23, 2023.
They will be required to answer questions regarding the claims they made on their social media posts.
