Ladipo Sanusi/
After weeks of fireworks between two ‘intimate strangers’ and their army of supporters, the battle between Stephanie Otobo and Apostle Johnson Suleiman shifted to a courtroom in Lagos today.
Stephanie, the 23-year-old Canadian-based singer, who claimed that Suleman had a romantic affair with her, was docked by the Police at a Tinubu Chief Magistrate’s Court. She was accused of conspiracy, blackmail, threat to life, and intent to steal.
She was charged along with a 43-year-old man identified as Wisdom Godstime.
The prosecutor, M.A Animashaun, informed the court that the defendants and others at large committed the alleged offence on February 14, 2017, at about 10:30am at Police College, Ikeja, in Lagos.
According to court papers, the duo conspired to steal by demanding for property with menaces and attempting to extort money.
The Prosecutor also stated that the defendants with intent to blackmail Suleman, unlawfully demanded the immediate payment by Suleman of $1million to Stephanie.
Suleman is the President and founder of Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide.
Stephanie and her lawyer, Festus Keyamo, had accused Suleman of forceful abortion of pregnancy.
Stephanie also accused the preacher, through her lawyer, of failing to keep a marriage promise made to her last year.
Suleman denied the allegations.
The police claimed Stephanie threatened to call a press conference, where she would accuse Suleman of adultery, having illicit relationship with her and threatening to kill her.
According to the police, the offences alleged to have been committed by the two defendants are punishable under sections 411, 301 and 303 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
Both Stephanie and her co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against them.
The Magistrate, Mrs Kikelomo Bukola-Ayeye, in her ruling granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed.
Magistrate Ayeye, on March 6, had refused a request to remand Stephanie and Wisdom Godstime, on the grounds that there was no substantial evidence before the Court for such an order.
In the application for remand, the police said that Wisdom and Stephanie were suspected to have threatened and blackmailed the Man of God.
After the arraignment, the Magistrate ordered that the defendants should continue with the bail earlier granted them.
The case has been adjourned till April 27 for the trial.
0