Johnson Suleman, has demanded that a legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo,
should retract all publications, and an apology to be published on major
social media networks.
He also demanded N1bn over alleged blackmail and injuries inflicted on
him, including online video clips, during his alleged amorous
relationship with a Canada-based stripper, Stephanie Otobo.
Should he fail to comply with the demand, the cleric threatened to drag
Keyamo to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee “for infamous
conduct.”
Stephanie Otobo had alleged that she suffered emotional stress from
Suleman, following a sour relationship including a promise of marriage.
But the cleric in a letter by his counsel, Osa Director, obtained by
journalists on Thursday evening in Abuja, entitled: “Allegation of
professional misconduct and unethical practices”, said Keyamo’s action
was inconsistent with Section 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For
Legal Practitioners 2007.
“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.”
According to him, 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 quoted 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.”
He said,
“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”