Abuja Magistrate lyanna Refuses To Recuse Self In Trial Of Dunamis Pastor Daniel, Obonyilo; Revokes Bail In Pastor Paul Enenche’s Alleged Defamation Case

Counsel for the defendants, Seprebofa Oyeghe, had earlier filed a motion requesting the magistrate’s recusal, citing compelling reasons why he should withdraw from the case.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel A. Iyanna of the Wuse Zone 6 Magistrate Court has declined to recuse itself from the ongoing trial of former Dunamis pastor Abraham Daniel and Enenche Enenche, also known as Obonyilo Enenche Peter. 

The case was brought against them by Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

Counsel for the defendants, Seprebofa Oyeghe, had earlier filed a motion requesting the magistrate’s recusal, citing compelling reasons why he should withdraw from the case.

He further disclosed that the Court had previously ordered the indefinite remand of the defendants pending the conclusion of the investigation. He also noted that the Court refused to entertain the defendants’ application to set aside the remand order.

Additionally, he stated that the defendants had submitted a formal petition to the Chief Judge, calling for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of the case.

“The defendants have lost confidence in the impartiality of this Court. The Magistrate’s actions suggest a strong likelihood of bias,” he said.

Another ground cited was that the case, originally scheduled for March 26, 2025, was adjourned to May 26 but was later brought forward to April 25 without any notice to the defence counsel—an action described as judicial misconduct or a clear indication of bias.

Oyeghe further lamented that several applications, including one to set aside the remand order and another for bail, had been repeatedly ignored by the court.

He argued that the Magistrate’s conduct reflected an unsettling degree of partiality in the ongoing dispute between the defendants and the nominal complainant, Pastor Paul Enenche, founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

Nevertheless, the Magistrate dismissed the application for recusal, asserting his intention to continue presiding over the case.

Following this, he granted the prosecution’s request and revoked the bail of the first defendant, Enenche Enenche (aka Obonyilo Enenche Peter). The matter was adjourned to June 26, 2025, for trial.

On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that the Court had adjourned the trial of Daniel and Peter to May 28, 2025, for a ruling on a motion seeking the recusal of the presiding Magistrate, Iyanna, over allegations of bias and compromise.

Oyeghe had argued that the motion disclosed compelling reasons why the Magistrate should step down from the case. 

He further revealed that the defendants had submitted a formal petition to the Chief Judge requesting an investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of the case.

In March, the duo filed a petition against Iyanna before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judicial Service Committee.

They accused Iyanna of abuse of power, disregard for legal procedures, corruption, and improper issuance of remand orders.

In their petition, the duo highlighted a remand order issued by Magistrate Iyanna, which directed that they, along with two others — Alexander Enenche and Reno Omokri — be held in custody pending investigation and prosecution.

The petitioners also complained about the bail conditions set by Magistrate Iyanna. Although their bail application was unopposed, the conditions were described as "ridiculous, excessive, oppressive, and vindictive."

One of the conditions was securing a guarantor who is a grade-level 15 civil servant. They claimed they had to spend over ₦500,000 to perfect the bail terms, including payments processed through a POS machine stationed within the court premises.