Pastor Arrested With Illegal Firearm

 

43-year-old pastor, Moses Chieke has been arraigned before a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Wuse 2 for unlawful possession of firearm.

Chieke, the pastor in charge of Cross Over International Ministry, Bwari, faces one-count charge of illegal possession of firearm.

The prosecutor, DSP College Bob, told the court that on May 4, 2013, a warrant was obtained and a search was conducted on Chieke’s house opposite the Bwari Police Station during which a pump action gun number R-006258 was recovered, adding that Chieke had no licence to possess the gun.

Bob told the court that the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 4 and is punishable under section 27(1) 6(i) of the Firearms Act.

If found guilty, he is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years.

After the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Eric Ajiegbuna, prayed the court to grant Chieke bail on liberal terms and the Senior Magistrate, Mrs Chinyere Nwacheonwu, admitted him to bail in the sum of N300, 000 and two sureties in like sum who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

She also ordered that one of the sureties must be a public servant not below GL 08 while the other must be a business man with legitimate means of wealth.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to April 29, for further hearing.