Uche Aigbe, a prominent pastor at the House On The Rock Church, has found himself facing legal proceedings after his arrest for allegedly preaching while brandishing a firearm. The unfolding legal drama has captivated attention as Aigbe, along with fellow church members Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye, appeared before a Chief Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The trio faced a battery of charges, including criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation. Despite the grave allegations, all three individuals pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for a riveting legal battle.
According to law enforcement, the defendants, all affiliated with the House on the Rock Church located in Wuye, Abuja, allegedly conspired to unlawfully possess an AK47 rifle on February 12, 2023. It is alleged that Inspector Musa Audu, stationed at the Wuye Division, was the source of the firearm in question.
The proceedings have unveiled a startling narrative that further alleges the defendants used the weapon during a sermon to emphasize a message about faith. Prosecution counsel, Assistant Police Commissioner James Idachaba, contended that the defendants’ actions went beyond mere illustration, as they purportedly made incendiary statements that could potentially disrupt public peace and security.
The legal showdown took a significant turn when Chief Magistrate Abubakar Ismail dismissed the defendants’ no-case submission, asserting that the evidence presented in court effectively linked them to the charges levelled by the police. Ismail’s ruling, delivered on Thursday, August 10, refuted the defence’s claims of lacking merit and substance, indicating that the trial will proceed.
The courtroom drama surrounding Pastor Uche Aigbe and his co-defendants has captivated public attention, the intersection of faith, law, and public safety and as the legal proceedings unfold, the public await further developments in this high-profile case that has sent ripples through both the religious and legal communities.
