By; Bayo Akamo,Ibadan.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has adjourned further hearing of the 24 year old factional crisis case rocking the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide till October 4, 2016.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday in Ibadan, the amended charge case number FHC/IB/9C/2011 were read to the defendants; Pastor Gideon Okegweheh and Abdul-Hakeem Muhammed and the two pleaded not guilty and were granted bail to the same condition as their old charge.
The amended charge reads “that you Pastor Gideon Okegweheh ‘male’, Mr Abdul-Hakeem Muhammed ‘male’ and others applies on or about 7th day of December, 1995 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire with each other to fraudulently procure a certificate of registration of CAC Nigeria, No 147 of 1995 from Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja when you know that the original and valid certificate of registration bearing the same number 147 of 1985 of the same CAC was in possession of Late N.E Udofia and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 518 (7) of Criminal Code Act cap 77 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.
Other counts 2 and 3 are also on the same offences.
However, the trial Judge, Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel while granting the bail adjourned further hearing of the case till October 4 this year.
It will be recalled that the defendants were first arraigned on August 29, 2002 and granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each and a surety each with landed property in Ibadan.
The witnesses expected to testify for the prosecution on October 4 included the former President of the Church, Pastor Elijah Howard Oluseye and Pastor Moses Ayantoye and the investigating police officer.
Pastor Oluseye, former factional President who is now a prosecution witness was formerly one of the defendants but his restitution which according to him would ensure his eternity, made him sever relationshi relationship with the General Executive faction of the Church while in the course of trial of the case, one of the defendants, Pastor Johnson Olabisi died.
The prolonged crises have so far divided the Church into two factions of General Executive Council and Supreme Council.
