Law & Bible

CLASFON NLSE Academic Sunday was indeed fabulous.

It began with an eccentric praise and worship, Led by Bro Timothy and Bro Emeka. Thereafter...

A prayer session followed where our supplications were presented before God; asking Him to grant us understanding and academic excellence. Since, we understand the place of God in our academic pursuit.

With the concept of applying law to the Bible in our mind, a moot court was constituted.

The court was presided over by Justice.Akah Chiamaka, while the court Clerk was Stephen Onimisi. The Registrar called up the case, State of Jerusalem v King David ( alias man after God’s heart) . The facts of the case is as contained in 2Samuel 11:1-27.

The State of Jerusalem through the prosecution brought an action against King David.

The offence contained in the charge is as follows:

Count 1: That King David conspired with General Joab to kill Uriah

Count 2: That King David committed murder by ordering the killing of Uriah

Count 3: That King David lay with another man's wife, thereby committing the offence of adultery.

Thereby contravening different provisions of the Bible law of Heaven and Earth, which is the supreme law of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

The Prosecution includes:

Ajose Adeniyi

Laura Edokpayi

Oseni Korede

Laguda Adetola

Ishola Ifeoluwapi.

The Defence Counsel includes:

Oluwadiasi Emmanuel

Monday Emmanuel

Agwu Kelechukwu

Emem Theophilous.

Although counsel to the defendant raised a preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter, considering the fact that the facts of the case clearly showed that it arose from Jerusalem, a place not within the jurisdiction of this court. The court decline ruling on this issue but went on to hear the matter.

The following issues were up for determination

Whether the offence of conspiracy, murder and adultery was committed by the defendant

Prosecution, aware of the onus of prove on them, did all within their powers to establish the elements and ingredient leading to the commission of the offences.

Prosecution argued that the letter written to Joab, and the subsequent compliance with the provisions of the letter amounts to conspiracy, between the defendant and Joab.

secondly, that the defendant’s order to Joab, instructing him to put Uriah in the hottest part of the battle, while withdrawing from him; knowing that death is the likely and probable consequence of such action, and indeed death resulted; which amounts to murder.

Furthermore, that sleeping with Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) amounts to the commission of the offence of adultery.

In their defence the Defense counsel put up a strong opposition, by stating that:

That the King enjoys immunity, hence he ought not to be dragged to court. Also a king can commit no crime. Equally, that God who presides over the Supreme Court of heaven, being the highest Court of the land, already tried the defendant and punished him; amongst several other defenses raised by the defense counsel.

Finally the court held that “historically when a soldier in Israel is going to war he gives a letter to his wife, ‘a bill of divorce’. Therefore at the time King David slept with Bathsheba she was not married to Uriah. Therefore King David was not guilty of Adultery.

Also that Uriah disobeyed the King's order to go home and lay with his wife, and also called another man master before King David, amounting to a rebellious act. Hence, the King has the power to order his execution.

King David is not a public servant but a Servant of God. And as a Servant of God he sinned against God; hence he is not answerable to the people of Jerusalem.

Since the prosecution was not able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of the 3 counts charges brought against the defendant. The judge discharged and acquitted the defendant.

Well as Prosecution gets ready to go on appeal.

We say, Kudos to the Academic Team.

We indeed had a memorable Academic Sunday.!

The Channel (Publicity Team of CLASFON NLSE)