An Abakaliki Diocesan Catholic Priest, Timothy Ngwuta, was charged to court and remanded in prison for alleged involvement in an attack and killing of two police officers investigating the murder of five construction workers in war-torn Effium community in Ohaukwu local government area.
Ebonyi State Government stated this on Wednesday in a statement adding that he is being tried for alleged conspiracy to promote communal war in the area.
Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, stated this in a statement in Abakaliki, capital of the state.
He was reacting to a statement by the Catholic Church on Monday, which accused the State Government of blocking moves to secure the release of the the priest.
But Orji explained said the State Government will let the court decide whether he is guilty or not.
According to him: “Our attention has been drawn to series of social media posts and unguided print conversations shared by different uninformed groups over the criminal charge faced by Rev Fr. Timothy on his alleged complicity in aiding and abetting war and killings in Effium/Ezza Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
“We have refrained from joining issues because of our respect for the institution he belongs.
“While we view it as unfortunate that the Rev Father could be involved in a suspicious conduct that led to his detention and prosecution by the Police, we wish to place on record that the Governor of Ebonyi State has no hands whatsoever on the matter as it is purely a serious security concern handled by the community and the security operatives.”
The Commissioner said that, according to security reports, Ngwuta was arrested by vigilante members in Nwori village in the warring area where he went in the company of two other suspects on December 11, 2021 to recover a vehicle suspected to have been used to convey some of the armed warriors who allegedly attacked the police officers who were investigating the murder of the five NELAN Engineers.
“Security report further revealed that the said Rev. Father is a native of Inikiri Umuezokaoha Ezza Effium, a section of the warring community where the suspected attack occurred
“It is also on record that he confirmed in his statements to the Police that he went to Nwori village to recover the car suspected to have been used by the armed warriors to carry out the attack that led to the death of two security operatives and others injured during security operations at Nwanenwo forest on the 28th day of November, 2021.
“Many people suspected to be behind the crime in Effium/ Ezza Effium are already facing trial and that of Rev Fr. Timothy Ngwuta cannot be an exception”.
“The offence of conspiracy to promote communal war is viewed seriously by the Laws of Ebonyi State and cannot be sacrificed at the altar of religion moreso as we have not been told that Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta is infallible.”