The duo of Ms Stephanie Otobo and online news platform Sahara
Reporters on Thursday failed to show up at the Ikeja High Court to
defend the N1billion libel suit instituted against them by Apostle
Suleman Johnson of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM).
Apostle Suleman had dragged the two defendants before Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.
He stated that his reputation was damaged through claims by Ms Otobo
that they were involved in a romantic relationship and that Sahara
Reporters first published the story.
His counsel, E.L Akpofure, SAN, told the court that they had a
motion for interlocutory injunction which was already ripe for hearing.
“My Lord our motion is very ripe for hearing but sadly, the defendant is not in court neither is she represented.
“The defendant has refused to enter appearance in this matter despite
the fact that she has been duly served with hearing notices.
“I would have said that My Lord should hear the motion but I suggest
that things be done the right way and another hearing notice be
re-issued to the defendant,” Akpofure said.
After listening to Akpofure’s submissions, Justice Oyebanji noted
that though the defendant was not represented in court, another hearing
notice would be issued.
She thereafter adjourned the suit till February 7, 2018, for hearing
on the motion by the claimant asking for interlocutory injunction.
In May, Otobo reacted to Apostle Suleman’s response to her claim that 111112017/05/09/stephanie-otobo-replies-apostle-suleman-im-born-claims-intact/”>she had become ‘born again’ and withdrawn the $5 million lawsuit she filed against him in Canada.
Suleman’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, had in a statement dared her to
provide answers to ”salient questions” before Nigerians could
believe her “born again story”.
The duo of Ms Stephanie Otobo and online news platform Sahara
Reporters on Thursday failed to show up at the Ikeja High Court to
defend the N1billion libel suit instituted against them by Apostle
Suleman Johnson of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM).
Apostle Suleman had dragged the two defendants before Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.
He stated that his reputation was damaged through claims by Ms Otobo
that they were involved in a romantic relationship and that Sahara
Reporters first published the story.
His counsel, E.L Akpofure, SAN, told the court that they had a
motion for interlocutory injunction which was already ripe for hearing.
“My Lord our motion is very ripe for hearing but sadly, the defendant is not in court neither is she represented.
“The defendant has refused to enter appearance in this matter despite
the fact that she has been duly served with hearing notices.
“I would have said that My Lord should hear the motion but I suggest
that things be done the right way and another hearing notice be
re-issued to the defendant,” Akpofure said.
After listening to Akpofure’s submissions, Justice Oyebanji noted
that though the defendant was not represented in court, another hearing
notice would be issued.
She thereafter adjourned the suit till February 7, 2018, for hearing
on the motion by the claimant asking for interlocutory injunction.
In May, Otobo reacted to Apostle Suleman’s response to her claim that she had become ‘born again’ and withdrawn the $5 million lawsuit she filed against him in Canada.
Suleman’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, had in a statement dared her to
provide answers to ”salient questions” before Nigerians could
believe her “born again story”.
It read in part, “After besmirching the reputation of a man that she
has never physically met, Stephanie Otobo, who filed a suit for $5
million against Apostle Johnson Suleiman in a Canadian court in abuse of
court process now claims she is born again and wants to put the whole
saga behind her and forget the matter and withdraw the case?
“Not so fast. Where are the explosive incontrovertible evidence she,
Festus Keyamo and their team of jeer leaders promised Nigerians? Where
are the travel documents she promised to reveal? Where are the nude
pictures she claimed to have?”.
In August, Nigeria Police ordered arrest of one Wisdom Godstime, an alleged accomplice of Stephanie Otobo in the saga.