-Bishop Obinna allegedly attacked
By Martin
Senator Rochas Okorocha, representing Imo West senatorial zone in the national assembly, whose presence at Oguta over the weekend raised dust at the burial ceremony of former Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudiju Oputa, few years ago, resulting in the deceased’s son, Charles, popularly called, Charlie Boy, allegedly snatching the microphone from him, in public glare was said to have stired up another controversy at the burial of late Justice Anwuka, wife of former Minister of State for Education and erstwhile Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, in Oguta, last Friday.
According to an eyewitness account, the chief mourner, Prof. Anwuka, Okorocha’s inlaw who was not in the mood to give a vote of thanks after church service, at the funeral mass officiated by Archbishop A.J.V. Obinna, of the Owerri Archdiocese and Bishop Ukwuoma, of Orlu Diocese, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Egbuoma,Oguta, called on his son, Dr Uzo Anwuka who is married to Okorocha’s second daughter, to speak on his behalf.After appreciating the visitors that came to commiserate with them, called on the former governor of Imo State, Senator Okorocha, who, he said, gave the family one hundred thousand dollar (100,000 USD), to support the burial to address the audience.
“At that point, Bishops Obinna and Ukwuoma who felt it was unfair, called him to order stressing that, it was wrong for Senator Okorocha to speak before the incumbent Governor of the state, ably represented by his Deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku.Junior Anwuka, who became uncomfortable and furious, shouted at the respected prelates, who insisted on the right thing to be done in such a derogatory manner ”.
Our source, further said that, “when Senator Okorocha was later called upon to speak after the Deputy Governor, had spoken on the governor’s behalf, he refused, stood up and walked away in anger, probably, because protocol was not breached in his favour”.
It was also gathered that, while this scenario played out, Prof. Anwuka who was obviously shocked and disappointed calmly watched with rapt attention.
Some persons who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment at Uzo’s disrespectful conduct and wondered why Okorocha who should encourage strict adherence to protocol, having enjoyed it enormously, refused to speak, when it was his turn to do so, because protocol was not breached.
Others who spoke in the same vein, said, “we don’t understand why Senator Okorocha, takes delight in creating scene and attracting negative attention at burial ceremonies and other high profile events.Worst still, in Oguta like it happened in the past. It is high time he learnt how to get his emotions under control”.
