Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Abakiliki, Most Rev. Father Peter Nworie Chukwu had rejected an award offered to him by the Ebonyi State Government.
Instead, the Bishop demanded the speedy trial and termination of the murder and sundry charges against one of his priests- Rev. Father Timothy Ngwuta.
The Bishop who has barely stayed one year in office expressed surprise at his nomination for the award of commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame, CEHF, and advised that his predecessor, Bishop Michael Okoro who had served long and meritoriously in office be recognized.
The Bishop’s reply to Governor Umahi was contained in a letter dated 12 December 2022, which the Governor personally conveyed to the bishop.
Ebonyi State Government had planned to confer the title of the Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame to Most. Rev. Father Peter Nworie Chukwu for his illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity.
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In the Bishop’s reply to the State Government, he acknowledged the receipt of the letter sent by the Ebonyi State Governor but was surprised by the nomination of such an award and declined it.
Furthermore, he said that he is still struggling to fit into the high demand of the Ecclesiastic office of the Bishop.
So, he feels that he has not achieved much to deserve an award.
Rev. Father Peter Nworie’s reply to Governor Umahi
“I am pleasantly surprised that I was selected for such an honor 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 the 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. 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”.
Father Ngwuta, the priest of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Umuhali, who tried to intervene in the release of the car of his medical doctor friend parked at a Police Station in the state is standing trial for alleged murder, since December 2021 when he was arrested, detained, released after 12 days and re-arrested, a development that has continued to generate comments within and outside the country
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