The police on Wednesday arraigned a pastor, Moses Chieke, at a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Wuse zone 2, Abuja, for unlawful possession of firearm.
Chieke, 43, the pastor in charge of Cross Over International Ministry, Bwari, is facing a 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 conducted on Chieke’s house opposite the Bwari Police Station, during which a Pump action gun, number R-006258, was recovered.
The prosecutor informed the court that Chieke had no licence to possess the gun.
Bob informed the court that the offence contravened 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 ten years.
After the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him bring his witnesses.
On his part, counsel to the accused, Mr Eric Ajiegbuna, prayed the court to grant Chieke bail on liberal terms.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Chinyere Nwacheonwu, admitted him to bail in the sum of N300, 000 and two sureties in like sum.
Nwacheonwu ordered that the sureties must be residing 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 hearing.
