Canada-based Nigerian musician, Stephanie Otobo, on Wednesday, filed a lawsuit against the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, at the Ontario Superior Court in Canada.
In the suit letter dated April 19, 2017, with case file number CV-17-573595, and addressed to Suleman’s Ontario residence, Otobo is demanding the sum of 5milion Canadian dollars.
Suleman is charged for damages on a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary relations, breach of contract, negligence, defamation, poisoning, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional stress, forcible confinement, multiple instances of battery, false imprisonment, fraud, assaults, sexual assaults, sexual harassments, harassments and malicious prosecution.
Otobo also prayed the court to grant a restraining order on Suleman from contacting and communicating with her in Canada, as well as restraining him from being at a distance of at least 500 meters from the plaintiff.
The court summon revealed that the embattled clergyman met Otobo, who was then in need of spiritual guidance, first in June 2015 in Canada. Subsequently, he took her under his care and groomed her.
It stated that during the grooming periods, which included psychological programming sessions, a romantic relationship developed between the two which resulted in pregnancy in August 2015.
It further claimed that Suleman thereafter married Stephanie, with the consent of her family. The 23-year-old then forfeited her lucrative career and property in Canada to settle down in Nigeria with him.
In late August 2015, Suleman allegedly gave Otobo an abortion concoction, unbeknownst to her, which resulted in her bleeding and having to return to Canada for treatment.
The summon stated that upon her return to Nigeria in 2107, she was arrested on March 17, arraigned and detained, on directions of Suleman, on charges which include “terrorism”. She was however bailed pending the outcome of the matter court.
Thereafter, he portrayed Otobo publicly as unworthy to be associated with, despite Otobo’s revelation of bank transactions between both of them.
According to Canada laws, Suleman has within 40 to serve and file his statement of defence. In the event of his failure to appear before the Ontario Superior Court, however, judgment may still be given against him without further notice given to him.
Suleman had earlier in April filed a one billion naira lawsuit for libel against Otobo and online medium, Sahara Reporters, for allegedly defaming his character.
The case with suit no: ID/ADR/374/2017 was filed at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos by the apostle’s lawyer, Osa Director.
