March 19, 2024, 6:17 pm

An Abuja pastor, delivering his sermons armed with an AK-47 rifle, alleges bias on the part of a magistrate as he pursues a judicial review

 An Abuja pastor, delivering his sermons armed with an AK-47 rifle, alleges bias on the part of a magistrate as he pursues a judicial review

In the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Pastor Uche Aigbe, leading the congregation of the House on the Rock, has found himself entangled in a legal battle with the FCT Magistrates Court at Zuba, alleging a breach of his fundamental rights to a fair trial during one of its sessions. This predicament led Pastor Aigbe to seek recourse through the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where he initiated proceedings for a judicial review of the lower court\'s actions. The genesis of this legal saga traces back to Pastor Aigbe\'s unconventional sermon titled \"Guarding Your Faith,\" where he ascended the pulpit armed with an AK-47 rifle, aiming to impart a visual message to his audience. According to reports by The Punch, this act caught the attention of the authorities, resulting in Pastor Aigbe\'s arraignment before Senior Magistrate Mohammed Ismail, alongside co-defendants Olakunle Ogunleye and Promise Ukachukwu. The charges brought against them were grave, including possession of a prohibited firearm (the AK-47 rifle), incitement of disturbance, and aiding illegal possession of a firearm. Representing the defendants, their legal counsel, P.H. Ogbole, SAN, contended that the proceedings conducted on March 28, 2023, at the Zuba Magistrate\'s Court were marred by irregularities. Ogbole argued that the magistrate\'s active involvement in the proceedings demonstrated a clear bias and a disregard for the principles of a fair trial. Furthermore, the defense raised objections concerning the proceedings on June 19, 2023, during which the magistrate admitted a compact disc as evidence without prior scrutiny of its content in open court. Ogbole argued that such actions amounted to a misapplication of the law and infringed upon the defendants\' right to a fair hearing. The pursuit of judicial review signifies Pastor Aigbe\'s determination to challenge what he perceives as an injustice perpetrated during the legal proceedings. His decision to escalate the matter to the higher court underscores the significance of upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality in the administration of justice. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case not only highlights the complexities surrounding freedom of expression and religious practices but also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their status or profession, are accorded their fundamental rights within the judicial system. The outcome of Pastor Aigbe\'s quest for judicial review will undoubtedly reverberate within legal circles, setting precedents and shaping future interpretations of justice within the Nigerian legal landscape.

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