Both Canadian based Nigeria actress, Stephanie Otobo and online news outlet 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).
(Daily Post) – The pastor alleges 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 an interlocutory injunction which was already ripe for hearing.
“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 an interlocutory injunction.
In May, Otobo reacted to Apostle Suleman ’s response to her claim stating that she had become ‘born again’ and withdrawn the $5 million lawsuits she filed against him in Canada.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 statement 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 is 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 the arrest of one Wisdom Godstime, an alleged accomplice of Stephanie Otobo in the saga.
Daily Post
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