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Emeka King’s Supporters, Area Boys Clash

This Day, Nigeria
Aug. 12, 2006
Abimbola Akosile
www.thisdayonline.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Monday August 14, 2006

Controversial founder of Lagos-based church – Christian Praying Assembly – Mr. Emeka Ezeuko, alias Rev. King was yesterday arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, at a Magistrate Court in Ebute Metta, Lagos. But the court will on Monday, August 14, rule on whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

A clash however broke out between placard-bearing members of the church and some area boys who had attacked the group, severely beating a number of them in the process. The fracas was broken by the police, which had to deploy additional re-enforcement.

King was arrested over allegations that he had doused six members of his congregation with petrol and subsequently set them ablaze, on July 22. On August 2, King, along with two co-accused (Donatus Chiazor and Kelechi Chikere), was arraigned on a four-count charge of attempted murder, felony, intent to cause grievous harm, and wounding of persons described as members of his congregation, at an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate Court. The magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, however granted them bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties who must be directors of reputable companies apart from being land owners in Lagos. The court then adjourned till August 11, for further hearing.

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

There was a twist, however, with the re-arrest of King outside the court premises. He was taken back into custody following claims by counsel that Ann Uzor, one of the victims that sustained the burns has died. Police prosecutors re-arraigned him at a Magistrate Court, at Yaba, on a fresh two-count charge. King’s counsel. Mr. Mike Okoye, raised objections to the arraignment process on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear a murder case. He also argued that the accused had been granted bail by a similar court a day earlier.

The magistrate, Mrs. Adesola Ikpati, observed that the prosecution should have withdraw the first case before filing a fresh case. Faulting the prosecution’s procedure, she said her court lacked jurisdiction to hear a murder case, and struck out the case as a result.

During yesterday’s hearing, counsels to the accused, Okoye and Festus Keyamo, challenged the jurisdiction of the court. The prosecution is relying on the initial four charges filed against the accused, as well as the fresh two-count charge.

Sporting a black suit on a purple shirt, King denied he ever perpetrated the crimes he’s accused of, saying that he wasn’t quite surprise given that same trials were borne by Jesus Christ. Although, he had earlier been granted bail, the accused persons were still driven back to Kirikiri since they were yet to perfect the bail conditions.

The case comes up on Monday.