A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Zuba, Abuja, has fixed May 2, 2023, for the continuation of hearing of a case brought by the Nigeria Police against a pastor accused of bearing AK 47 rifle during a church service.
The court fixed the new date due the absence of the defence counsel, Mr Uche Uzukwu.
The cleric and two others were charged before the court for illegal possession of prohibited firearms.
The police charged the pastor, 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.
At the resumed trial, the Magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail, brought to the attention of the court a letter written by Uzukwu seeking an adjournment.
Ismail said that the adjournment was at the instance of the defence counsel who was absent due to a matter he had at the election petitions tribunal.
He adjourned the matter in the interest of justice to May 2 for hearing.
The police 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, 2023.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr James Idachaba, said the defendants got the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division, posted on guard duty to the said church.
He said the defendants used the firearm for an illustration in a sermon about faith in the church.
Idchaba said the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the congregation that 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.
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