House On The Rock Pastor, Aigbe Charged With Unlawful Possession Of AK-47 Rifle

…A Chief Magistrate Court located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has ruled that the Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, Uche Aigbe, must face a criminal case regarding the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms found in his possession.

The Pastor’s attempt to submit a “no-case” argument was rejected by Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail, who stated that the objection lacked both merit and substance.

In a concise decision made on Thursday in Zuba, Magistrate Ismail concluded that, considering the entirety of the…presented evidence, the defendant had been effectively connected to the charges raised against him by the Police.

The police had charged Uche Aigbe, along with Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye, with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation, to which they entered not guilty pleas.

….The Police alleged that the individuals, all associated with the House on the Rock Church in Wuye, Abuja, had conspired to unlawfully possess an AK47 rifle on February 12, 2023.

The prosecution, represented by Assistant Police Commissioner James Idachaba, informed the court that the defendants had acquired the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, assigned to Wuye Division, who was on guard duty at the aforementioned Church.

It was further claimed that the defendants used the firearm as a….visual aid during a sermon on faith within the Church.

The prosecution asserted that the defendants had made statements that incited and intimidated the church congregation, potentially causing alarm and disrupting the peace.

…..The alleged offense falls under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and is said to contravene Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.