The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, who is enmeshed in a sex controversy, has gone on the offensive, demanding N1billion from legal practitioner, Festus Keyam.
He also demanded a retraction of all publications and an apology to be published on major social media platforms for the alleged blackmail and injuries inflicted on him, including online video clips over alleged sexual relationship with a Canada-based Nigerian, Stephanie Otobo.
Suleman is threatening to drag the Abuja-based lawyer the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee “for infamous conduct”, should he fail to meet his demands.
The social media was set on fire by a video of Stephanie Otobo accusing the fiery preacher of impregnating her and abandoned her after promising her marriage. In the said video, she also gave salacious details of how the pastor allegedly slept with her in a hotel room.
How in a letter by Suleman’s lawyer, Osa Director, obtained by journalists on Thursday titled: “Allegation of professional misconduct and unethical practices”, the pastor said Keyamo’s action was 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.”
Instead of gathering facts and evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction for adjudication, Keyamo resorted to alleged blackmail and intimidation through the media, 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.”
Director referred to a recent Newspaper report in which Keyamo threatened to “release more bullets”, while Otobo under his supervision would be organising a world press conference and “we will begin to release bullets.”
Director continued: “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.”
Majority of people interviewed by CHECKPOINTCHARLEY are standing with Apostle Suleman over the sex allegation. They believe he is being singled out for humiliation for speaking out against the Southern Kaduna killings and the menace of Fulani herdsmen.
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