Court Orders Trial of Abuja Pastor Over AK-47 Rifle Found in His Possession

Patrick OdeyAugust 10, 2023

1 minute read

Pastor Uche Aigbe holds Ak 47 rifle in church

The presiding pastor of the Abuja chapter of the House on the Rock, Uche Aigbe, has been ordered to face trial over the prohibited firearm found in his possession by a Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory.

The court dismissed the no-case submission made by the pastor, saying that it lacked merit and substance.

The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail, ruled on Thursday at Zuba that the evidence adduced by the police had effectively linked the pastor with the charges against him.

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

The prosecution counsel, Assistant Police Commissioner James Idachaba, told the court that the defendants got the firearm from Inspector Musa Audu, who was attached to Wuye Division and posted on guard duty at the church.

The offence is punishable under Section III of the Firearms Act CAP F28, LFN 2004, and contravened Sections 97, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code.

Newsflash Nigeria had reported that Pastor Uche Aigbe mounted the pulpit carrying an AK-47 rifle during the second service of the church on February 12. Newsflash Nigeria also reported that the pastor claimed that he was using the rifle as a prop for his sermon on spiritual warfare.

House on the Rock is a Christian Church headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. It was founded by Paul Adefarasin in 1994 . It is well known for its annual musical concert, The Experience (World’s Largest Gospel Concert), which features both local and international gospel musicians.