A Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja has ruled that the Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, Uche Aigbe has a criminal case to answer in the case of unlawful possession of an AK-47 rifle.
SaharaReporters had reported that Aigbe caused a stir on Sunday, February 12, 2023, when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK-47 rifle.
Aigbe had said, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared. Today, there are some pastors with the gift of divination who go about ripping people off. This is why we should carry our “guns” and defend ourselves. I will particularly be coming very soon for some of you sleeping in the church.”
He was subsequently arrested and detained by the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police Force, insisting that he had questions to answer.
The police had charged Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu, and Olakunle Ogunleye with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of a prohibited firearm, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution counsel, Assistant Police Commissioner, Mr James Idachaba, had informed the court that the defendants got the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division.
He was reportedly on guard duty at the church.
He added that the defendants used the firearm for an illustration 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.
The offence, he said, is punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and contravened Section 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.
However, according to Daily Post, a Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja on Thursday ruled that the pastor has a criminal case to answer in the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms found in his possession.
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.
In a brief ruling on Thursday at Zuba, 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.