Court frees pastor accused of theft, enticing married woman

A Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court on Friday discharged and acquitted a 29-year- old pastor who was accused of theft and enticing a married woman.

The case against Pastor Best Egbuah was dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.

The pastor, who lives in Karu Market, was alleged to have enticed and taken away Ugwu Ifeayi, a married woman, living in Karu Village, Abuja.

Mr. Egbuah had been standng trial since November 2010.

Delivering judgment, Senior Magistrate Celestine Odo said the evidences brought before the honourable court had proven that the accused was not found guilty of the offences for which he was charged.

“The court deals with credible evidence produced before it and does not indulge in speaking of what might have happened.

“I hold that the prosecution has failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

“I hereby discharge and acquit the accused from all the charges leveled against him and any aggrieved party can appeal the judgment within 30days.”

The Defense Counsel, Felix Iyoha, commended the court for the “excellent’’ judgment.

“I want to appreciate all the parties, the defense witnesses and the prosecution witnesses who appeared before this court to testify; that helped the court to arrive at the excellent judgment,’’ he added.

NAN