Stephanie Otobo: Apostle Suleman Threatens Legal Action, Demands Apology, N1bn From Keyamo

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has threatened legal action against a legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo, who turns out to be the lawyer representing a Canada-based Nigerian, Stephanie Otobo, for alleged slander.

According to the cleric, Keyamo should retract all publications, and should tender an apology, which should to be published on major social media networks.

In a letter issued on Thursday by his lawyer, Osa Director, he also demanded N1bn over alleged blackmail and injuries inflicted on him, including online video clips, as regards to his alleged amorous relationship with Otobo.

Apostle Suleman further threatened to drag Mr. Keyamo before the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association for alleged professional misconduct.

In the letter entitled: “Allegation of professional misconduct and unethical practices”, he said Keyamo’s action was inconsistent with Section 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007.

The letter read; “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 S.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007. Instead of gathering your facts and evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction for adjudication you have cleverly resorted to blackmail and intimidation of our client through the media-both traditional and social media.

“In short, you have threatened and indeed executed your threat of conjuring, manufacturing and synthesizing 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.

“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 in the major social media networks and Punch newspapers. Also, we demand a compensation of One Billion Naira for all the injuries inflicted on our client. We expect you to meet our demands within seven days from the date above written.”

(360nobs)