The criminal trial of former Dunamis International Gospel Centre Pastor Abraham Daniel and Peter Enenche, a relative of the church’s Senior Pastor Paul Enenche, has been adjourned following the unexpected absence of the presiding magistrate, Chief Emmanuel A. Iyanna.
The trial, scheduled to continue on Wednesday at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, could not proceed as Magistrate Iyanna failed to appear in court. No official reason was provided for his absence. However, sources within the court revealed that the magistrate had been seen the previous day searching for case files related to the matter while allegedly setting aside remand orders he had earlier issued.
Reports indicate that Magistrate Iyanna was summoned to appear before a disciplinary panel in response to a petition filed by the defendants. The petition accused him of abuse of office, corruption, procedural violations, and improperly issuing remand orders.
Disputed Remand Order
The contested remand order had directed the detention of the defendants—Abraham Daniel, Enenche Idoga Alexander, Peter Obonyilo Enenche, and Reno Omokri—at the Nigeria Correctional Service pending investigation and prosecution.
The order, issued earlier by Magistrate Iyanna, stated:
“An order of this Honourable Court for remand warrant of the Respondents—(i) Mr. Daniel Abraham, (ii) Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander, (iii) Mr. Peter Obonyilo Enenche, and (iv) Mr. Reno Omokri—in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending investigation, arraignment, and prosecution.”
The petition challenging the remand order highlighted that it failed to specify a definite duration for detention, which contradicts legal requirements mandating a fixed period, typically seven or fourteen days.
With the magistrate facing disciplinary scrutiny, the trial has now been adjourned to May 26, 2025.
IGP Seeks Bail Revocation for Peter Enenche
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a motion requesting the revocation of Peter Enenche’s bail over alleged violations of bail conditions in an ongoing criminal defamation case.
According to legal documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the IGP, through Francis Gabriel Esq. of the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Prosecution Section, submitted a motion on notice dated March 17, 2025. The motion seeks an order to remand Peter Enenche in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service until the trial concludes.
The application was brought under multiple legal provisions, including Section 35(f), 44(2)Κ, and 251(d) of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), Section 4 of the Police Act, and Sections 3, 18(1)(f)(h)(i), 35, 36, 39, 47, 113, 114, 293, 162, and 173 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015).
Peter Enenche, along with former Dunamis pastor Abraham Daniel and others who remain at large, is facing trial for alleged criminal defamation against Pastor Paul Enenche, General Overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
This latest development further complicates the legal battle, especially with the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against the presiding magistrate. The case is expected to attract significant public interest as it unfolds in the coming months.