The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Chukwu on Wednesday, asked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, to facilitate action that would terminate the murder and sundry charges against a detained Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta.
Bishop Chukwu stated this while rejecting Governor Umahi’s nomination for the maiden state honours award 2022 as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (CEHF).
Chukwu who was appointed as bishop on July 6, 2021, by Pope Francis to replace his predecessor, Most Rev Michael Okoro, who retired as bishop on account of age, was consecrated and installed as Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki on August 6, 2022.
Governor Umahi had, in a letter dated December 14, 2022, informed Bishop Chukwu that he had been selected for an award as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (CEHF) in recognition of the cleric’s “illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity.”
Bishop Chukwu, who declined the honour thanked the Governor for deeming him fit for the award. He however suggested that the award be given to his predecessor, Most Rev. Michael Nnacho Okoro.
He affirmed that he was just one year in office and could not have achieved much to warrant reception of such award.
The letter obtained by The Quest Times, and addressed to Governor David Nweze Umahi, was titled: “RE: Notification of your selection for the Maiden State of Honours AWARD 2022 as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (CEHF).”
It reads in part: “Compliments of the season and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Amen.
“I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter notifying me that I have been selected for the Maiden State of Honours Award 2022 as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of FAME. I am pleasantly surprised that I was selected for such a prestigious honour by your government.
“I wish to sincerely thank you for your thoughtful consideration in selecting me for the Maiden State of Honours Award. I am grateful to you and your government for deeming me fit for the award.
“Your Excellency, I wish to respectfully decline this award. I am barely one year in office. I am still struggling to fit into the high demands of the ecclesiastical office of the Bishop.
“So, I feel that I have not achieved much as to deserve an award. If I may suggest, I would rather wish that this award be bestowed on my predecessor, Most Rev. Michael Nnachi Okoro, for his long and meritorious service to God and humanity. Rather than give me an award, I would prefer you set in motion, actions that would facilitate the termination of murder and sundry charges against my priest, Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta.
“Accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards as you pilot the affairs of the State. Be assured of my constant prayers for you, your government and the good people of our dear State,” it adds.
Meanwhile, Governor Umahi’s nomination letter, which he also personally signed, marked GOV/EBS/OM/3.42/V/350, and addressed to the bishop was titled: “Notification of your selection for the maiden state honours award 2022 as Commander, Ebonyi Hall Of fame (CEHF).”
The letter reads, “I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected by the Government of Ebonyi State for the conferment of State Honours Award as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (CEHF), pursuant to Ebonyi State Honours Law No 008 of 2022. This Award of Honour is in recognition of your illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity.
“Your esteemed presence is therefore requested at the special event scheduled to hold as follows: Date: Thursday 22nd December, 2022. Venue: State Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki. Time: 7pm.”
Recall that the Ebonyi State government and the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki had in April 2022 traded words over the arrest and incarceration of a Priest, Fr. Timothy Ngwuta in Abakaliki.
The Catholic Church, Diocese of Abakaliki in a statement signed by Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, said all efforts to secure the release Fr. Timothy Ngwuta on bail have been hampered by the Executive Order preventing any court in the state from entertaining matters relating to Effium crisis.
The statement reads in part: “The Church in the name of God, appeals to all the people of Effium and Ezza Effium involved in this inter-communal war, to lay down their arms and embrace the path of peace. Nothing justifies the senseless killing and maiming of innocent lives. Peace can never be achieved under the barrel of guns.
“Since the matter is before the courts, we will not be making any more statements on the case. We urge all to withhold judgement and let the case run its course.
“We implore all people of goodwill to join us in praying to God to touch those responsible for the incarceration of Fr. Timothy to listen to the voice of right conscience. We commend the whole process into the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and the Star of Evangelization. Pray for peace in our State and in the Country,” the church stated.
In a swift reaction, the Ebonyi state government through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Cletus Ofoke cautioned the Catholic Church to desist from saying that the priest is incarcerated in prison as a result of the executive order.
Ofoke said, “There is nothing like Executive Order on the Effium crisis, there is nothing to that effect. Of course, the government can never issue an order stopping the court from doing its legitimate duty. It is aimed at tarnishing somebody’s image and maligning the government. There is nothing like that.
“Once a matter is in court, nobody talks about it other than for the legal process to take its course. This is what the Ebonyi State government has done and the government has no hand in the Priest case. The case of the Priest is purely a legal issue from police to court.
“So, nothing concerns Ebonyi State government and it is not only the Priest that is being incarcerated over the matter there, in Effium. People are aware that so many people have been charged to court; some of them are in prison, and some of them are being tried in court. So, the Priest is also a human being,” he stated.