From: Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The trial of the presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe, and two others over alleged illegal possession of prohibited firearms was stalled yesterday at the Zuba Magistrate Court, following the absence of a defence counsel, Mr Uche Uzukwu.
The First Information Report (FIR) noted that police authorities charged Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation, which they all entered a plea of not guilty to.
Uche Aigbe was arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for using an AK-47 rifle for demonstration during a church service.
Pastor Aigbe had caused a stir on Sunday, February 12, 2023, when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK-47 rifle during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who come from different parts of the FCT.
When the case came up for trial yesterday, the Magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail, informed parties that a letter was written by Uzukwu, seeking an adjournment.
Magistrate Ismail explained that the adjournment was at the instance of the defence counsel, who was absent due to a matter he had at the election tribunal. He consequently adjourned the matter in the interest of justice until May 2 for hearing.
The police had alleged that the defendants, all of House on the Rock, the Refuge Church, Wuye, Abuja, conspired amongst themselves to obtain an illegal AK47 rifle on February 12.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr James Idachaba, said the defendants got the firearm from Insp. Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division, posted on guard duty at the said church. He added that the defendants used the firearm for an illustration while preaching a sermon about faith in the church.
The prosecuting counsel said the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the congregation, which could cause alarm and breach of peace. The offence, he said, was punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004 and contravened Section 97, 114 and 397 of the Penal Code.