Illegal Possession of AK-47 Rifle: Court Adjourns Trial of Abuja Pastor Over Lawyers’ Absence
The trial of the Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, Uche Aigbe, has again been stalled, PRNigeria reports. Aigbe, is being tried for unlawful possession of prohibited firearms found in his possession.
Recalled that a Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja last month ruled that Aigbe has a criminal case to answer for possessing prohibited firearms.
The no-case submission made by the Pastor was dismissed by Chief Magistrate Abdulazeez Ismail Muhammad on the ground that the objection to trial lacked merit and substance.
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PRNigeria reports that pastor Aigbe caused a stir on Sunday, February 12, 2023, when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK-47 rifle in the midst of the tension and anxiety that surrounded the February 25 presidential election. He has also been quoted to have made some controversial remarks about the election.
In a brief ruling 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.
However, when the case came up on Thursday for defence, it was gathered that Aigbe showed up for his trial, while his lawyers were absent.
A source at the court said: “The prosecution prayed the court to foreclose the defendant from entering their defence, because they have exhausted their right of adjournment in-line with the provision of section 396 ACJA, 2015.
“The court gave the defendants same opportunity to respond to application made by the prosecution, but all the defendants prayed for mercy and adjournment”.
The matter was adjourned to the 5th of October, 2023 for definite defence.
By PRNigeria
