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All charges dropped, case struck out…
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To attend pastoral classes at Salvation Ministries
The case between controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo and televangelist cum general overseer of Salvation Ministries, pastor David ibiyeomie took a different twist today at the Port Harcourt magistrate court when the presiding Magistrate, his lordship Fubura struck out the case on the demand of the plaintiff.
A brief drama ensued after the pronouncement as Kemi took the floor to appreciate both his lawyer and the prosecuting team stressing that Ibiyeomie was her new spiritual father.
In what seemed like a pre-planned session, the case began with the lead prosecution, Mr Bassey demanding the court to strike out the case as the plaintiff was no longer interested in pursuing it having met and settled with the accused peacefully.
The court granted their wishes without delay and both parties parted with smiles and exchange of pleasantries.
Kemi was arrested three times in 2017 over the same case and spent over 3 months in the last arrest. She was released early January, 2018.
A video of her testifying in David Ibiyeomie’s church went viral last week. In the video, Kemi narrated how she was used by the devil to defame David Ibiyeomie and pleaded for forgiveness.
Speaking to WIRED! Nigeria, Mr Bassey stressed that it was irrelevant to continue the case as the plaintiff who was also the key witness had declined interest in further pressing on the charges levelled against the accused.
Mr Eugene, the defence lawyer narrated to WIRED! Nigeria reporter that he was pleased with the outcome of the trial and that what played out in court was as a result of a mutual understanding between both parties.
Kemi’s ordeal attracted public demand for her release with a civil society group known as “Our Mumu Don Do” writing an open petition for her unconditional release. A hashtag #FreemadamKOO also trended on Twitter with many online users demanding for her release. Despite sporadic outcries, Kemi was remanded in prison on three occasions.
Visibly excited Kemi Olunloyo shared her excitement with WIRED! Nigeria. She said her life was to be dedicated to the service of God and towards the revival of the police and prisons systems in Nigeria. She promised to pay a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police in furtherance of new endeavours of reviving the police force.
Kemi agreed to grant WIRED! Nigeria an exclusive interview in the coming weeks as a prelude to her upcoming book, Straight Out Of PHmax, a prison time memoir.
