AK-47: Court adjourns case against Abuja House on the Rock pastor
A case brought by the Nigeria Police against a Pastor of the House on the Rock Church, Abuja, Uche Aigbe, accused of bearing AK-47rifle during church service has been scheduled for May 2 for continuation of hearing by a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Zuba, Abuja.
Recall the presiding pastor of the Abuja chapter of the House on the Rock, Pastor Uche Aigbe, on Sunday February 12, caused a pandemonium when he carried an AK-47 rifle to the pulpit.
The incident occurred during the second service, which was said to have a high turnout of the congregation who comes from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
However, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrest Pastor Uche Aigbe with the church’s chief security officer on the following Monday.
The pastor and two others were charged before the court for illegal possession of prohibited firearms.
The police had charged Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye with Criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearm, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation which they pleaded not guilty to.
The absence of a defence counsel, Mr Uche Uzukwu prompted the court to fix new date.
The Magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail brought to the attention of the court a letter written by Uzukwu seeking an adjournment during the resumption of the trial.
Ismail noted that the adjournment was at the instance of the defence counsel who was absent due to a matter he had at the election 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 AK-47 rifle on 12 February.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr James Idachaba said that the defendants got the firearm from Insp. Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division, posted on guard duty at the said church.
He added that the defendants used the firearm for an illustration while preaching a sermon about faith in the church.
The prosecuting counsel said the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the congregation that could induce commotion 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.