The Chief Magistrate Court situated in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, Nigeria, has summoned five individuals accused of criminally defaming gospel artist Mercy Chinwo and her spouse, Blessed Uzochikwa, on social media.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna has instructed Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie to personally appear on April 23, 2024.

The claims originated from social media posts that went viral last week, questioning the parentage of the couple’s child. Mercy Chinwo and her husband’s legal representatives lodged the complaint, accusing the defendants of cyber intimidation, spreading false information, and cyberstalking, all allegedly violating penal and cybercrime laws.

The complainants contend that the defendants deliberately harmed their reputation with defamatory content, leading to significant repercussions both locally and globally. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna has mandated the defendants to face the charges in court later this month.

Furthermore, the complaint specifies that Nathaniel Bassey was erroneously linked to the accusations, as the defendants suggested the possibility of him being the father of Mercy Chinwo’s child.