Nathaniel Bassey petitions IGP over paternity rumour by 4 social media users -

Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging an investigation and legal action against four individuals for alleged criminal defamation and cyberstalking targeting him.

Presented by his legal representatives, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia, the petition was submitted on Monday, April 1, 2024.

This move comes in response to recent unfounded claims circulating on social media, suggesting Bassey’s involvement as the biological father of a fellow gospel singer’s child. The malicious insinuations gained traction online, with images of Bassey and the child being shared alongside false assertions.

In their petition, Bassey’s legal team identified the individuals involved as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid. They emphasized the urgent need for police intervention to address the matter.

The lawyers outlined how these individuals propagated defamatory content, questioning Bassey’s paternity and spreading harmful rumors about his relationship with the married gospel singer.

The petition highlighted the serious legal implications of such actions, citing violations of Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“These nefarious acts of these suspects, if not immediately dealt with, will continue to destroy our client’s image, injure his reputation, assassinate his character, and cast aspersion on the good name built by our client over the years.

“The consequences of making such statements on social media have been known to tarnish the reputations of individuals, render marriages unstable, and many never recover from them. International reputation is an asset—both for the individual and for the nation—and it takes time to acquire.

“Consequently, we urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspect to justice, which will serve as a deterrent to others,” the petition stated.