Police arraign Apostle Suleiman’s accusers: Stephanie Otobo, others for blackmail

By Onozure Dania Lagos—The Police yesterday arraigned a lady, Stephanie Otobo, 23, who claimed to have had affair with Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the President and founder of Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide before a Tinubu Magistrate’s court Lagos, over alleged intent to steal, and blackmail.

Otobo was charged alongside Wisdom Godstime, aged 43. They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, blackmail, and threat to life, preferred against them by the police. The prosecutor, M. A. Animashaun, told 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, Lagos.

He said the duo conspired to steal by demanding for property with menace and an attempt to extort money. Animashaun also said the defendants, with intent to blackmail, unlawfully demanded the payment of $1 million to Otobo by Apostle Suleiman, else she would call a press conference and accuse him of committing adultery with her and having illicit relationship with her and thereafter kill him.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants with intent to extort money from Suleiman, accused him of committing adultery with Otobo, and also promised to marry her. According to the Animashaun, the offences committed are punishable under sections 411, 301 and 303 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015. However the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them. Magistrate Mrs Kikelomo Bukola- Ayeye, in her ruling granted the defendants bail in liberal term and asked them to deposit the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed.

On March 6, Magistrate Ayeye, had refused a request to remand Stephanie Otobo and Wisdom Godstime, on the grounds that there is no substantial evidence to deny Stephanie her fundamental right to freedom. She held that the matter was a case between two Nigerians and it does not matter if one of the parties was a man of God. She adjourned the case to April 27, for the commencement of trial.