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Rev Emeka King Back in Court for Murder

Daily Champion, Nigeria
Aug. 4, 2006
Olatubosun Sowemimo
www.champion-newspapers.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Saturday August 5, 2006

Embattled General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Ajao Estate, Lagos, Rev. Emeka Ezeugo King was rearraigned yesterday at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court for alleged murder of Miss Ann Uzoh.

But a mild drama ensued when the presiding magistrate, Mrs Adesola Akpati told the court that she lacked jurisdiction to hear the murder charges.

King with two others, Mr Donatus Chiazor and Miss Kelechi Chikere was first arraigned before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court Wednesday on a four-count charge including attempted murder of some members of CPA whom he (King) allegedly set ablaze after accusing them of fornication.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Teslim Elias, however granted King bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties of the same sum who must reside and own landed property within Lagos metropolis.

But Rev. King was rearrested by the police moments after the prosecution counsel, Mr Ochugbo Ogbeh told the court that one of the victims whose name he did not disclose passed on few minutes before commencement of court proceedings.

But at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court yesterday, he was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of Miss Ann Uzoh who reportedly died as a result of severe injuries and burns she suffered after the self-acclaimed miracle worker set her ablaze along with six others.

Christian Praying Assembly

How Rev King set us ablaze, by church members

Emeka King: I flog my church members

Pentecostal Fellowship says Rev. King Is Not A Servant Of God

But the arraignment procedure took a dramatic turn when the magistrate, Mrs. Adesola Ikpati told the court that her court lacks jurisdiction to hear the murder charge.

She said the matter is still going on before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court on a four-count charge.

She faulted the prosecutor’s filing procedure saying he should have withdrawn the four-count charge before filling the two-count charge before her.

She added that the case is a capital offence and should not be treated trivially.

She, however, held that the case be taken back to Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Ochugo Ogbeh prayed the court for the accused’s continuous remand in the custody.

Daily Champion recalls that The pastor with two others -Donatus Chiazor and Kelechi Chikere Queen were arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court at Ebute-Metta, Lagos, “presided by Teslim Elias on a four-count charge of attempted murder.

The charges against them read:

• That you Emeka Ezeugo ‘alias’ Dr Rev. King, Donatus Chiazor, Kelechi Chikere Queen, on or about the 22nd day of July 2006 at about 8:30 am, at No 6 B Canal View, Ajao Estate Lagos did conspire together to commit felony to wit: Attempted murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

• That you on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully attempt to murder one Ann Uzoh King, Olisa Chiejina, Onuorah Chizoba, Uche-Chukwu Iwoba, Vivian Ezeocha, Bunmi Olisa and Nwere Jessica and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 320 (I) of the criminal code Cap C17, Vol II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

• That you Emeka Ezeugo alias Dr Rev King, Donatus Chiazor, Kelechi Chikere Queen on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magistrate District with intent to maim, disfigure or cause some grievous harm on Ann Uzoh King did pour a jerry can full of petrol on her and set fire thereby causing her grievous bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 332 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

• That you Emeka Ezeugo ‘alias’ Dr Rev King, Donatus Chiazor, Kelechi Chikere Queen on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully wound Olisa Chiejina, Onuorah Ouzoba. Sussana, Uchechukwu Iwoba, Vivian Ezeocha, Bunmi Olisa, Nwere Jessica and Ann Uzoh King by pouring petrol and setting fire on them and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 338 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The count charges were read to their hearing of the three of them who were docked and they pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel, Ochugbo Ogbeh after the accused had taken their plea informed the court that one of the victims died few minutes before the commencement of the arraignment yesterday.

He said the suspects will be remanded in the prison custody pending the fulfilment of the requirements of the bail.