The Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, Uche Aigbe has been charged by a Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for unlawful possession of firearm.
The no-case submission made by the Pastor was dismissed by Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail on the ground that the objection to trial lacked merit and substance, according to Daily Post.
The Magistrate, in a brief ruling on Thursday held that from the totality of the evidence so far adduced, the defendant has been effectively linked with the charges preferred against him by the Police.
Recall that the police had charged Uche 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.
It was alleged that the defendant, 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.
He prosecuting counsel, who is also an 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 guard duty at the said Church.
He said that the defendant used the firearm for an illustration in the service.
Moreso, the prosecuting counsel also explaiineed that the defendant made inciting and intimidating statements to the church congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace, an offence which is punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and contravened Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.
