A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja has remanded Pastor Peter Michonza of the New Jerusalem Deliverance Ministry, Ageva in Okene Local government area of Kogi State at the Federal Correctional Centre Kabba for 14 days.
Pastor Michonza was arrested on the 19th September, 2022 by Department of State Security DSS following an outcry by the people of the local government and the council chairman over allegations of running Labour wards for pregnant women in his Church, selling “bullet proof” water to the people, amongst other medically unacceptable practices which has led to the death of many innocent people.
The presiding Chief Magistrate, Abdul A. Umar gave the order on Thursday, following the experte application the Department of State Security DSS to remand the accused person to enable them continue further investigations.
In an experte application the accused person was alleged to have committed culpable homicide, causing miscarriage and impersonation punishable under sections 224, 232, 433 and 325 of Kogi State Penal Code.
The suspect would be charged to High of Justice after the preliminary investigations are concluded.
The Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Lawrence N.Ilobuno told newsmen that his client was arrested by the Department of State Security DSS on the 19th of September ,2022 and has since been detained in their custody without trial.
According to him, he has approached Magistrate to file an application bail because the suspect has stayed more than required days in custody with being charged to Court.
Ilbuno noted that based on an experte application filed by the DSS for remand to enable them carry out further investigations , stressed that the Magistrate has remanded the suspect at Kabba correctional centre for another 14 days.
The presiding Chief Magistrate in his ruling adjourned the case to 20th ,October 2022 for mentioning.
