August 10, (THEWILL) – Abubakar Ismail, the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has stated that Pastor Uche Aigbe, of the House on the Rock Church, Abuja, has a case to answer for unlawful possession of rifle during one of the church services.
This was made known when Ismail dismissed the no-case submission filed by Aigbe.
The court ruled that Pastor Aigbe has a criminal case to answer for the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms found in his possession.
Chief Magistrate Ismail ruled that the cleric’s application lacked merit and substance.
According to him, from the totality of the evidence so far adduced, the defendant has been effectively linked with the charges filed against him by the Police.
The police had charged Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation, which they pleaded not guilty to.
The Police alleged that the defendants, all of House on the Rock Church, Wuye, Abuja, conspired with each other to illegally and unlawfully possess an AK47 rifle on February 12, 2023.
The prosecution counsel, Assistant Police Commissioner, James Idachaba, had informed the court that the defendants got the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division, posted on 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 congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace.
The offence, he said, is punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and contravened Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.
