Canadian sisters, Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo, have apologised for attempting to blackmail Forte Oil Chairman, Femi Otedola, in a video posted online on Thursday.
Dressed in black, the sisters stand as one of them reads a statement from the screen of a cellphone.
“We apologise to Femi Otedola and his family, especially his wife and children and all the other petitioners,” the statement begins.
“We created a platform called NaijaGistLive.com and .co where people can send in stories,” the statement continues. “Most stories were sent by close friends or associates of people being written about.”
“The intention was not to hurt anyone or to be malicious,” the statement goes on. “The intention was not to extort anyone. We haven’t received any money from this website.”
The Matharoos, known for running lavish social media accounts, are accused of allegedly trying to blackmail Otedola, with claims they had evidence of him cheating on his wife.
The sisters, who are from Toronto, are accused of cyber-bullying more than 274 people based in various regions of Africa.
One politician is believed to have paid $300,000 to prevent them from publishing damaging images of him.
They were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court on Friday, December 23 on charges which include blackmail and cyberstalking.
The case has been adjourned till January 26, and it is unclear if the women remain in custody or have been granted bail.
Global Affairs Canada, a Canadian government department that manages the country’s diplomatic relations, has confirmed that it is providing consular services to the sisters.
