Three persons have been remanded in a correctional centre by an Edo State High Court for alleged demolition of a church fence and illegal possession of firearms.
The accused persons, Sunny Ibude, 50; Monday Osabuohien, 42 and Godspower Igbinosun, 36, were arraigned on 11-count charges including illegal possession of fire arms, assault, damaging church fence and conspiracy.
The prosecuting counsel, I.K. Ekibade, told the court that the defendants and others at large “between February 22 and March 10 conspired among themselves and unlawfully entered Christ Embassy Church International located at kilometre 10, Benin-Sapele Road and damaged the fence valued at N5m.”
Ekibade said the accused persons armed themselves with one pump action, a locally-made double-barrelled gun and other weapons and forcefully invaded the land belonging to the church.
They were also accused of assaulting one Desmond Apebeen, Clement Aikpokpo and Pastor Godfrey Esiegbe.
The defendants however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, ordered that they be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the case to March 29.
