Categories: News

Police Drag Stephanie to Court over Apostle Suleiman

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.

Suleman

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
Dipo

Dipo Kehinde is an accomplished Nigerian journalist, artist, and designer with over 34 years experience. More info on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipo-kehinde-8aa98926

Recent Posts

Are The Grammys Relevant Outside the United States?

Building Credibility For nearly eight decades, the Grammy Awards have stood as the pinnacle of…

23 hours ago

Disputed 5.3bn Shares: Court Adjourns Barbican/FBN Holdings Suit as Ecobank’s Recusal Motion Remains Pending

Justice Ayokunle Faji has adjourned further proceedings in the suit filed by Barbican Capital Limited…

3 days ago

Los Angeles Protects Undocumented Immigrants from Trump’s Deportation Plans with Sanctuary Ordinance

Segun Atanda/ The Los Angeles City Council has approved a sweeping "sanctuary city" ordinance designed…

3 days ago

Trump Could Face Prison After Second Term, Prosecutors Say

Segun Atanda/ New York prosecutors have opposed dismissing President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction for falsifying business…

3 days ago

MC Oluomo Flouts Court Order, Assumes Office as NURTW President

Femi Ashekun/ In a bold and controversial move, Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, has defied a…

3 days ago

Tinubu Sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC, Registrar … Dissolves Council

Matilda Omonaiye/ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University,…

3 days ago