A Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday has ruled that the Presiding Pastor of the House on the Rock Church, Uche Aigbe has a criminal case to answer in the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms found in his possession.
The police had charged Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu, and Olakunle Ogunleye with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation, in which they pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.
However, following the closing of the prosecution case, the defendants rather than opening their defense opted to file a “No Case” submission.
While ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission yesterday, Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail dismissed the application on the ground that the objection to their trial lacked merit and substance.
In a brief ruling, Magistrate Ismail held that from the totality of the evidence so far adduced, the defendant has been effectively linked with the charges preferred against him by Police.
In the charge, the Police alleged that the defendants, all of House on the Rock Church, Wuze, conspired with each other to illegally and unlawfully possess an AK47 rifle on February 12, 2023.
The prosecution counsel, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) James Idachaba, had informed the court that the defendants got the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, attached to Wuze Division, posted on guard duty at the said Church.
He added that the defendants used the firearm to illustrate while preaching a sermon about faith in the Church.
The prosecution counsel alleged that the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the church congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace.
He said that the offence is punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and contravened Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.
