Why Fr.Ngwuta Was Arrested-Abakaliki Diocese Narrates Ordeal of Detained Priest

--Says,His Release Hampered by Executive Order Alita Israel, Abakaliki Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki has explained that the detained priest, Reverend Fr. Timothy Ngwuta who was arrested by men of Nigeria Police Force Ebonyi state command at Mbeke Ishieke was accused of aiding communal crises ravaging Ezza-Effium/Effium community in the state.

The diocese also hinted that effort to release the accused priest on bail was hampered by Executive order which prevented every court in the state from hearing any matter related with Effium crisis.

In a statement issued by the Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, Diocesan Secretary to the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, explained that Fr. Ngwuta was arrested by the Nigeria Police at Mbeke Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area where he had visited to help his friend identified as Mr.Jude Ariom, retrieve his vehicle (Toyota Sienna) that was parked there. According to the report, the priest had obtained police clearance to tow the vehicle away after he settled them for securing the sienna for the period of two weeks but was intercepted by some local vigilante from the area who handed him over to thesame men of Nigeria Police Force. It further stated that the priest was released on condition to be reporting to the police, hence, was rearrested during one of his visits and now facing trial in court as he's accused of kidnapping and murder of the five NELAN Engineers, attack on and murder of Police officers, aiding escape, arson, promoting inter-communal war et cetera. Fr. Opoke said “efforts to secure his release on Bail have been hampered by the Executive Order preventing any Court in the State from entertaining matters relating to Effium crisis. Recently the motion for bail was refused on the 12th of April.

The statement reads in full: “On Saturday, 11th December, 2021, Fr. Timothy Ngwuta was arrested by the Nigeria Police at Mbeke Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area where he went to help his friend, Jude Ariom, retrieve a vehicle [TOYOTA SIENNA) that was parked there. Before Fr. Timothy arrived Mbeke, he proceeded to the Police station to obtain clearance to move the vehicle whose tyres were deflated. The Police at Mbeke granted him permission to take the vehicle away after he had settled their bill for guarding the car for a period of two weeks. In the course of inflating the tyres, the local vigilante swooped on him and his companions, demanding further settlements. Fr. Timothy informed them that the settlement with the police was meant to take care of them as well. After a short while, a different set of local Vigilante group arrived, bringing about some altercations between the two groups. Fr. Timothy and those who came to assist him move the vehicle were arrested by the local vigilante and handed over to the same Police who earlier had given him clearance to move the vehicle. Fr. Timothy and his companions were subsequently brought to the Nigeria Police Headquarters at Abakaliki the following day and detained for a period of twelve days. He was tortured. He was later released on bail, when his health began to fail him on account of the torture he received while in detention. That was on the 23rd of December, 2021. He was required to be reporting to the Police Station weekly. This he did Religiously. “Just when we thought the matter was over, he was rearrested on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 and, on the 11th of March, 2021 arraigned in court for kidnapping and murder of the five NELAN Engineers, attack on and murder of Police officers, aiding escape, arson, promoting inter-communal war et cetera. “We are worried how the issue of going to recover a car parked outside the war zone [a different Local Government Area] has metamorphosed to such accusations as contained in the charges against him. The identity of the owner of the car was disclosed to the Police by Fr. Timothy together with the contact address and phone number. It is rather surprising to hear that Fr. Timothy is shielding him. “Facts available to the diocese are as follows: 1). Fr. Timothy Ngwuta comes from Ezaa Efflum: whose home town has been decimated by the inter-communal war between the Effium/Ezza Effium. 2). Fr. Timothy Ngwuta vehemently denied all these charges and sees himself as a victim of circumstances. READ ALSO Gov Soludo Reveals How He Picked 20 Commissioners From 22,000 Applications 3). Fr. Timothy Ngwuta states unequivocally that he innocently went to help a friend retrieve his vehicle and was not aware that the vehicle was used in the commission of crimes as alleged. “The Catholic Church condemns acts of violence, incitement of violence, wars, kidnapping, arson, or any crimes and will not shield anyone involved in such dastardly acts. We urge the security forces to do a thorough investigation and ensure that the priest of God, who has, in conscience, stated before his Bishop, that the accusations are entirely FALSE, is not punished for offences he knows nothing about. Efforts to secure his release on Bail have been hampered by the Executive Order preventing any Court in the State from entertaining matters relating to Effium crisis. Recently the motion for bail was refused on the 12th of April. “The Church in the name of God, appeals to all the people of Effium and Ezaa 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 statement on the case. We urge all to withhold judgement and let the case run its course. “We implore all people of good will to join us in praying 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.