The Abuja magistrate court has summoned five individuals for "criminal defamation" against the reputations of Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna has ordered the defendants to appear in person before the court on April 23, 2023, to respond to the allegations. This comes after social media users made claims about the son of Mercy Chinwo, alleging that he bore a striking resemblance to gospel musician Nathaniel Bassey.

The defendants, named as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie, are accused of cyberstalking, spreading harmful falsehoods, and cyber intimidation, which the complainants argue violated the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and Section 391 of the Penal Code. The lawsuit stems from a paternity claim filed by the defendants following an Instagram photo of Mercy Chinwo and her husband's son uploaded last week.