Gospel music minister, Nathaniel Bassey, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and arrest four social media users who falsely accused him of being the father of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s newborn.

On March 29, Ms Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochika, unveiled pictures of their baby on Instagram but some online users claimed the baby bore a striking resemblance to Mr Bassey.

The users went as far as giving unsolicited advice to Ms Chinwo’s husband to run a DNA test in order to ascertain his paternity of the child — or lack thereof.

“Mischief makers with a criminal intent to destroy the image and character of our client, had made different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our client ‘the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a woman who is married to another man,” stressed Mr Bassey’s petition.

Mr Bassey said the false paternity claims by Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and Dj Spoiltkid were tantamount to defamation and could tarnish the reputation he worked so hard to build over the years.

Mr Bassey’s team of lawyers led by Peter Abraham called on the police chief to quickly investigate the allegations as leaving the matter unaddressed could have far-reaching implications on his marriage, reputation and ministry locally and globally.

“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,” the petition dated April 3, stated.

“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,” Mr Bassey pleaded.

Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi could not be immediately reached to comment whether or not Mr Bassey’s petition will be addressed as he did not answer calls made to his mobile phone.