NGIGE DID NOT SLAP PRIEST, CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Catholic Diocese of Awka has cleared the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra, Sen. Chris Ngige, of allegedly assaulting a priest by slapping him.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Chudi Akaenyi, at a news
conference in Awka on...
Tuesday, said that at no time did Ngige slap any priest of the church.
There have been speculations that Ngige recently slapped a Catholic
priest at a funeral ceremony at his hometown, Nanka, in Orumba North
Local Government Area.
Akaenyi, flanked by the priest alleged to have been slapped, Rev. Fr.
Evaristus Ezekwonna, the Chaplain General of Men of Order (MOD) of the
diocese, said that he did not see Ngige slap anyone.
"When I was informed of disorderliness at the entrance gate for the
dignitaries in the bishop's house during the burial, I invited the
senator to the scene to identify persons who said they were in his
entourage,'' Ezekwonna said.
He said that three policemen who later apologised for unruly behaviour
had tried to force their way into the bishop's court after Ngige had
entered with some people who came with him.
"There was no incident or action of that nature, either by him or
anybody. I have told you our own connection. Policemen tried to force
the gate open. Ngige came to me and said he did not know them and we
shook hands and he left.
"Hearing that anybody slapped a reverend father is matter of serious
concern and absolutely unacceptable.
"I have no idea about that, I do not know where they got that story
from because no priest would have made any press statement to the
media without clearance,'' Akaenyi said.
Earlier, Ngige had told newsmen in his campaign office in Awka that as
a Catholic, who attended Catholic schools and a knight for about 10
years, he could not slap or use offensive language on a priest.
"Anybody who is saying I was found to have assaulted a priest was
saying so because he or she is 'out of his or her senses'. I am a very
strong Catholic and from a Catholic family.
He said that political parties could be behind the rumour and that his
party was investigating the matter.
"It is a joke taken too far", he said.
Ngige, however, said that his legal team was looking into the issue in
order to take appropriate action. (NAN)