House on the Rock Church pastor, Uche Aigbe charged with unlawful AK-47 possession

A Chief Magistrate Court situated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a ruling determining that Uche Aigbe, the Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, has a case to answer regarding the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms discovered in his possession.

Despite Uche Aigbe’s submission of a no-case plea, Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail dismissed this plea, stating that the objections to the trial lacked both merit and substance.

During a concise judgment delivered on Thursday at Zuba, Magistrate Ismail concluded that the defendant had been effectively connected to the charges presented against him by the Police, based on the overall evidence presented so far.

The Police had levied charges against Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu, and Olakunle Ogunleye, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, incitement of disturbance, and criminal intimidation. These charges were denied by the defendants.

As per the Police’s allegations, all three defendants, who are associated with House on the Rock Church in Wuye, Abuja, were alleged to have 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 obtained the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, stationed at the Wuye Division and responsible for guarding the mentioned church.

The prosecution’s assertion further mentioned that the defendants used the firearm as a visual aid during a sermon about faith within the church.

The prosecution additionally contended that the defendants made statements inciting and intimidating the church congregation, potentially causing alarm and disrupting the peace.

The charges against the defendants fall under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and are said to breach Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.