Lawyer’s absence forces court to reschedule pastor’s trial over illegal possession of firearms
The absence of a defence lawyer, Uche Uzukwu has stalled trial of Pastor Uche Aigbe of the House on the Rock Refuge who is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms before a magistrate’s court sitting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Penpushing reports the lawyer had on Tuesday during the resume trial had sent in a letter to request permission to be away, which the magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail, drew attention to, seeking an adjournment of the trial.
The magistrate in consenting to the request noted that the adjournment was at the instance of the defence counsel who was absent, citing a matter he had at the election tribunal, and therefore, adjourned the case until 2 May, 2023 for hearing.
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command had in February arrested the cleric, after a video clip of him carrying a gun during a Sunday church service went viral on social media platforms.
The images of the Pastor of the House on the Rock Refuge showing him welding an AK-47 rifle on the church pulpit caused a stir with many commentators expressing safety concerns about the pastor’s action.
Penpushing also reports that police authorities subsequently charged the clergyman alongside 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 prosecuting counsel James Idachaba alleged that the defendants, conspired with an illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle on 12 February, 2023 adding that they (defendants) got the firearm from Musa Audu, a police inspector, attached to Wuye Division and posted on guard duty at the church.
Penpushing reports that the prosecutor added that the defendants used the firearm for an illustration while preaching a sermon about faith in the church, adding that he made inciting and intimidating statements to the church congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace.
Meanwhile, the police authorities argued that the offence is 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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