Nigerian gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has sought intervention from Nigeria's Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, against allegations suggesting he is the biological father of fellow gospel artist Mercy Chinwo's son.
The allegations, made by four individuals on social media, have prompted Bassey to file a petition through his legal team, consisting of Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia, demanding an investigation and subsequent prosecution of the accused parties—Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and DJ Spoiltkid.
The controversy began when Ejike posted on social media, hinting at Bassey's paternity of Chinwo's child, following the couple's reveal of their son on March 29. This led to a series of posts by others, echoing the claim and suggesting a DNA test to verify the child's paternity, thus sparking widespread speculation and debate among netizens.
Bassey's legal representatives have described the allegations as “character assassination” and a violation of sections of the Criminal Code Act and the Cybercrimes Act, highlighting the significant impact such claims can have on personal reputations and professional standings. They stressed that these unfounded accusations could not only tarnish Bassey's hard-earned reputation but also destabilize personal relationships and cause irreparable damage.
In response to these serious allegations, Bassey's legal team has initiated legal action against those who created and spread the defamatory content, emphasizing the legal repercussions of spreading criminally intended statements online. The team is also reviewing social media posts to identify other potential individuals involved in disseminating the damaging claims.
Okoronkwo Ejike has issued a public apology to Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo, retracting his earlier statements and expressing regret for any harm caused. However, the other accused individuals have yet to respond or apologize for their involvement in the matter.