The Police in Lagos yesterday re-arraigned Stephanie Otobo, the lady who claimed to have had affair with controversial clergy, Apostle Johnson Suleman, before the Lagos State Magistrate’s court sitting in Tinubu, over alleged intent to steal, and blackmail.
Otobo, who was docked alongside one Wisdom Godstime, are facing a three count charge of conspiracy, blackmail, and threat to life, preferred against them by the police.
The prosecutor, M. A Animashaun, told the court that the defendants and others at large committed the alleged offence on February 14, 2017, at about 10:30am, at Police College, Ikeja Lagos.
Animashaun said that the duo conspired amongst themselves to steal by demanding for property with menaces and an attempt to extort money.
He also said that the defendants with intent to blackmail a man of God, unlawfully demanded the immediate payment of the sum of $1million US Dollars, to Otobo by Apostle Johnson Suleman, the president and founder of Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide, else she would call a press conference and accuse him of committing adultery with her and having illicit relationship with her and thereafter kill him.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants with intent to extort money from Suleiman, accused him of committing adultery with Otobo, and also promised to marry her.
According to the Animashaun, the offences committed is punishable under sections 411, 301 and 303 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.
However the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
Magistrate Mrs Kikelomo Bukola- Ayeye, in her ruling granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed.
It will be recalled that the court had on March 6 refused a request to remand Stephanie Otobo and Wisdom Godstime, on the grounds that there is no substantial evidence to deny Stephanie her fundamental right to freedom.
Magistrate Ayeye held that the matter was a case between two Nigerians and it does not matter if one of the parties was a man of God.
She granted bail on conditions that the defendants deposit a sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed.
In the application for remand, the police said that Wisdom and Stephanie were suspected to have threatened and blackmailed the man of God.
Consequently after the arraignment yesterday, the Magistrate ordered that the defendants should continue with the bail earlier granted them.
She adjourned the case to April 27, for the commencement of trial