Walls and Ceilings - Removing a Sofit

I am remodeling my kitchen and there was extensive water damage to the existing sofit. I want to tear it out and just have a flat ceiling. I was going to use drywall for the fixed areas. Most of the current sofit is plaster except for a few patched areas. I've never done this kind of work before and I need some guidance.
1. People tell me the sofit is not load bearing but how do you know for sure?
2. Can I just start hammering at it or is there a method to removing the plaster and cement motar behind it?
3. What about electrical wires? There is currently a light in the middle of the sofit, should I disconnect it and cap the wires before I start the tear down? How would I know if there are other wiring in the sofit?
Any help would be appreciated.

No soffit is load bearing. Nothing is holding it up (except some nails) so how can it hold anything else up. As far as removeal, just start hammering. There will be some wire mesh in the corners to watch out for. Hard to say if there will be any electrical or plumbing in there until you take it down.