The Presiding Pastor of the House on the Rock in Abuja, Uche Aigbe, arraigned before an FCT Magistrates Court for bearing an AK-47 rifle, has approached a Federal Capital Territory High Court to seek judicial review of his trial.
Aigbe, during a Sunday church service in February 2023, mounted the pulpit with an AK-47 rifle to illustrate his sermon titled “Guarding your faith.”
He was afterwards arraigned alongside Olakunle Ogunleye and Promise Ukachukwu for possession of a prohibited firearm (AK-47 rifle), inciting disturbance, and abetting illegal possession of a firearm.
They were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Mohammed Ismail, sitting at Zuba, Abuja.
Aigbe was made aware that the act contravened Section 3 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Law of the Federation.
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At the FCT High Court on Monday, the counsel for the defendants, P.H. Ogbole, SAN, told the court that they filed a motion on notice seeking a judicial review of the proceedings at the lower court.
He added that the issues of jurisdiction were raised, urging the court to grant their prayers.
In the motion on notice marked M/13706/2023, the lawyer alleged that the magistrates’ court violated their fundamental rights to a fair hearing in one of its proceedings.
On his part, counsel for the commissioner of police, Inah Umoh, has urged the court to dismiss the application.
He explained that the court should allow the lower court to continue with the matter.
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, however, after listening to the submissions of both counsels in the matter, fixed May 15 for ruling on the application. #pastor
