A Zuba Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Tuesday could not continue the trial of three clerics of House on the Rock Refuge Church in Wuye, Abuja identified as Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye for illegal possession of firearm over the absence of their counsel.
The defendants were charged by the police with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearm, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation which they pleaded not guilty to.
Police alleged that the defendants all conspired to illegally possess an AK-47 rifle on February 12, 2023.
The prosecutor James Idachaba said the defendants got the firearm from Inspector 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 prosecutor further said the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the church congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace.
The alleged offences, he said, are punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004 and contravened Section 97, 114 and 397 of the Penal Code.
However, the absence of the defence counsel Uche Uzukwu stalled the trial.
Magistrate Abdulaziz Ismail read a letter from Uzukwu before the court, seeking adjournment.
Uzukwu wrote in the letter that he was absent due to a matter he had at the election tribunal.
He, however, adjourned the matter until May 2 for hearing.
Aigbe took a break after coming under criticism for bringing to church an unloaded AK-47 rifle for emphasis on his sermon titled “Guarding your faith.”
