EFFIUM/EZZA EFFUIM CRISIS: COURT GRANTS CATHOLIC PRIEST BAIL
REPORTER: AMECHI ODO
An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Ohaukwu has granted bail to a Catholic Priest, the Reverend Father Timothy Ngwuta, who has been in detention for about three months over alleged kidnapping and murder in the state.
Justice Frank Edem admitted the Reverend Father on bail following an application by his Counsel, Mr. Emeka Uwakwe.
The Reverend Father Ngwuta was first arrested in 2021 for allegedly promoting the Effium crisis but was later released before being rearrested and arraigned in March 2022.
Since then, he has been in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre Abakaliki, with Governor David Umahi being accused of signing an Executive Order that he should not be granted bail.
Reacting, the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Cletus Ofoke, explained that his release had given credence to the fact that the state government had no hand in the detention of the Catholic priest.
Mr. Ofoke said bail was at the discretion of the court and emphasised that the state government had no problem with the development.
The matter was adjourned sine die(indefinitely) since the Office of the Attorney-General of the State and the Department of Public Prosecution neither filed any information nor opposed the bail application.
