Almost one week after a sex scandal involving Apostle Johnson Suleiman and a Canada-based Nigerian stripper, Stephanie Otobo broke the internet, the man of God is suing legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo for damages.
The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide is demanding that the popular lawyer who represented Otobo, retract all publications, and tender an apology which will be published on major social media networks.
Apostle Suleiman is also reportedly demanding the sum of N1 billion naira for damages over the alleged blackmail and injuries inflicted on his reputation, including online video clips, during his alleged sexual relationship with Otobo.
Punch reports that failure to comply with the demands on the part of Keyamo would result in a complaint lodged with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee “for infamous conduct.”
According to earlier reports, Otobo claimed to have suffered emotional stress from Suleman, following their ruined relationship which reportedly included a promise of marriage.
However, a letter issued by the cleric's counsel, Osa Director, which was obtained by journalists on Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Abuja, entitled: “Allegation of professional misconduct and unethical practices”, claimed that Keyamo’s action were inconsistent with Section 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007.
He said, “Sequel to our letter to you dated March 6, 2017, we have observed with shock and dismay your deliberate and relentless efforts to malign and convict our client through media trial. By your relentless media campaign, you are conducting yourself in a manner inconsistent with Section 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007.”
The man of God said that, instead of gathering facts and evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction for adjudication, Keyamo reportedly resorted to blackmail and intimidation through the use of the both traditional and social media.
“In short, you have threatened and indeed executed your threat of conjuring, manufacturing and synthesising bogus and unverifiable exhibits in the social media and newspapers, all with a view to poison public opinion against our client and reduce his esteem and reputation in the eye of any reasonable man.
"Your attitude is also to ambush a fair trial while litigation is anticipated. This is contrary to S.33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007.”
Punch also reports that Keyamo, in a recent newspaper publication, threatened to “release more bullets”, while Otobo would be organizing a world press conference under his supervision.
He said, “Furthermore, you grossly and recklessly maligned our client, saying, “these men of God are not what they claim to be, we have a duty to protect the public. Many of them are fake and fraudsters. You will see the video very soon in the next few minutes.” True to your threat of trial publicity stunts, the video clips have flooded the social media networks.
“We believe your conduct is inconsistent with the virtues and rules of conduct of the legal profession. It smacks of indiscipline and disdain for the judicial process. Therefore, we demand a retraction of all your press statements and an apology to be published on the major social media networks.
“Also, we demand a compensation of N1bn for all the injuries inflicted on our client. We expect you to meet our demands within seven days from the date above written. Take notice that we shall drag you before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for the infamous conduct if you fail to so do.”
As earlier reported, Otobo was only released today, March 9, 2017, from Kirikiri prisons after she was arrested almost one week ago on a charge of blackmail and terrorism and has remained in prison custody since then for failure to perfect her bail conditions.
The Sapele, Delta state indigene accused the General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, of impregnating and abandoning her.
Apostle Suleiman has since refuted the claims, laughing at the accusations leveled against him while his wife, Lizzy, has called out the stripper over the sex scandal.
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