Catholic Church demands public apology from Gov. Ohakim

The JDPC said the apology became necessary following the humiliation of a priest by security operatives attached to the governor. The JDPC Coordinator in the Province, Rev. Fr Maduakolam Osuagwu, made the demand on Wednesday in Owerri, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). NAN recalls that some security aides to the […]

The JDPC said the apology became necessary following the humiliation of a priest by security operatives attached to the governor.

The JDPC Coordinator in the Province, Rev. Fr Maduakolam Osuagwu, made the demand on Wednesday in Owerri, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN recalls that some security aides to the governor had detained Rev. Fr Eustace Okorie for two days for allegedly obstructing the governor’s motorcade at Akabo on the Okigwe-Owerri Road while returning from mass.

The priest was reported to have had difficulty moving off the road for the motorcade to pass before he was arrested by the security agents on the order of the chief security officer (CSO) of the governor.

The CSO later handed over the priest to the State Security Service (SSS), which ordered the priest to remove his cassock, trousers and inner dress before detaining him.

The action of the security agency attracted wide condemnation from Catholic faithful, who threatened to protest.

Ohakim later led his deputy, Dr Ada Okwuonu, and some commissioners to the Archbishop of Owerri, the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, to apologise for the action.

But Osuagwu told NAN that “the secret apology” made to the bishop, which had been accepted, was not enough.

“The CSO took Fr. Okorie and the lady he gave a ride on that day a photograph and got it published in a newspaper, insinuating that the lady was indecently dressed.

“The photograph of the lady was taken on the second day when she wore a different dress to the SSS office. The government and the SSS are blackmailing our priest.

“How could they say that the lady’s dressing is indecent? That is injustice on womanhood. The issue is not about dressing or giving a lift.

“Even Jesus Christ did not condemn Mary Magdalene or prostitutes. Imputing that the lady is a prostitute is the height of injustice and assault on her fundamental human right and a restitution is required,” he insisted.

Osuagwu said that the Catholic Church had always been an agent of peace and pointed out that if the members had been allowed to go on protest as they wanted, it might have degenerated to chaos.

He called on security agents to be civil in dealing with the public, especially those identified not to be criminally-minded.

Osuagwu stressed that government should be seen to be protecting the governed.

 “We are speaking on behalf of those who have suffered in the hands of government and security agents. We will be happier if they can change for the better,” he said. (NAN)