Court adjourns trial of gun- wielding pastor to May 2
An Abuja Magistrate Court has adjourned the trial of Pastor Uche Aigbe, the man of God who used an AK-47 gun as demonstration during a sermon, to May 2, 2023.
The trial was, on Tuesday, stalled due to the absence of his lawyer, Mr Uche Uzukwu.
Aigbe is on trial over charges of illegal possession of firearms with Promise Ukachukwu, and Olakunle Ogunleye before a Zuba Magistrate Court.
Other charges prescribed against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearm, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation by the police. They have since pleased not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed trial, the Magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail brought to the attention of the court a letter written by Uzukwu seeking an adjournment.
According to Ismaila, the adjournment was at the instance of the defence counsel who was absent due to another engagement at the election tribunal. He then adjourned the matter in the interest of justice until May 2 for hearing.
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.
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 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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