By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Asaba Magistrates’ Court has arraigned Pastor Sunday Ogbogho of the Redeemed Christian Church of God for allegedly assaulting journalist Kenneth Orusi with tools including a wheel spanner, causing head injuries in an incident that occurred on July 27, 2025, at No. 5 Elder Ediale Street, off Ibusa Road, Asaba.
The charge, recorded under Case File No. 367 at the Magistrate Court 4, Asaba, with Mr. Alex Ibe, as the Police Prosecutor, read in open court, accused Ogbogho of committing an offence punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code. The cleric pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, identified as Chris, informed the court that the defendant is a landlord in Asaba and presented a surety, Engineer Pastor Edih Commissioner, Director of Operations at the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Asaba.
However, the Magistrate expressed caution over sureties from certain government agencies, noting that officials “who work in the field” are often difficult to trace when defendants abscond.
“When you take someone on bail, you are telling the court you will ensure they attend trial until the case is disposed of,” the Magistrate warned. “We have had cases where sureties vanish when defendants jump bail.”
Despite the concerns, the court granted Ogbogho bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 12, present valid identification, appointment and promotion letters, a current payslip, and sworn affidavit, as well as undergo residence verification by court and police officers.
The Magistrate issued a stern reminder that “justice is not for sale”, warning against offering money to court staff, lawyers, or anyone claiming influence over the bench.
The case has been adjourned to August 25, 2025 for hearing.
SHOCK IN ASABA: RCCG PASTOR ARRAIGNED FOR ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT ON JOURNALIST
Outrage is brewing in Delta State after Pastor Sunday Ogbogho, a cleric of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was on Monday arraigned before an Asaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking journalist Kenneth Orusi with a wheel spanner, inflicting head injuries.
The violent encounter allegedly took place on July 27, 2025, at No. 5 Elder Ediale Street, off Ibusa Road, Asaba.
The charge, filed under Case File No. 367 at Magistrate Court 4, Asaba, is being prosecuted by Mr. Alex Ibe, the Police Prosecutor who charged Ogbogho under Section 355 of the Criminal Code, which prescribes penalties for assault occasioning harm.
When the charge was read, Ogbogho pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, Chris, sought bail, presenting a surety, Engineer Pastor Director of Operations at the Delta State Direct Labour Agency.
But the Magistrate voiced strong reservations over accepting sureties from “field officers” in certain government agencies, warning that such individuals have in the past been difficult to trace when defendants jump bail.
“Taking someone on bail is a solemn guarantee to ensure they attend trial. We have chased sureties for over a year in some cases without success. We cannot afford to take that risk lightly,” the Magistrate cautioned.
Bail was eventually granted in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 12, provide valid official documents, two passport photographs each of himself and the defendant, and undergo verification by both court and police officers.
In a pointed warning, the Magistrate declared:
“Justice is not for sale in this court. Do not give money to anyone, not staff, not lawyers, not people claiming to know the magistrate. We do not accept bribes, and you must not tempt the court.”
The case has been adjourned to August 25, 2025, for hearing.
The arraignment has sparked public debate over the moral responsibility of religious leaders and the safety of journalists in the line of duty, with observers calling for a thorough trial and strict adherence to the rule of law.
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