Bishop rejects Ebonyi state’s Governor Umahi’s award, tells him to ensure priest’s freedom

Most Reverend Father Peter Nworie Chukwu, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, has declined an award from the Ebonyi State Government, saying that he prefers governor Umahi to facilitate a speedy trial and the dismissal of the murder and other charges against his priest rather than recognition.

The priest, who has only been in office for a short time, expressed surprise at being named a Commander of the Ebonyi Hall of Fame and suggested to governor Umahi that Bishop Michael Okoro, who he stated served long and meritoriously, be given the honor instead.

This was stated in the bishop’s response to Governor Umahi’s letter from December 12, 2022, in which he personally informed the bishop of the state government’s intention to bestow upon him the title of Commander and induct him into the Ebonyi Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished service to Ebonyi State and humanity.

His Lordship replied acknowledging receipt of the letter but expressing astonishment at the nomination and declining the honor.

His words: “I am pleasantly surprised that I was selected for such an honour by your government”. Your Excellency, he continued: “I wish to respectfully decline this award. I am barely one year in office. I am still struggling to fit into the high demand of the ecclesiastic office of bishop. 

“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 demand of the ecclesiastic office of bishop. So, I feel that I have not achieved much 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.

He continued “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. Father Timoty  Ngwuta”.

Since his arrest in December 2021, when he was detained, released after 12 days, and then re-arrested, a development that has continued to elicit comments both inside and outside the nation, Father Ngwuta, a priest at Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Umuhali, has been on trial for alleged murder. He attempted to intervene in the release of his friend’s car, a doctor, which was parked at a police station in the state.