The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) has called on the Imo State House of Assembly to investigate the alleged assault on Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Archbishop AJV Obinna.
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A statement signed by Dr.Phillip Njemanze, Chairman of the Association and made available to this medium reads:
PRESS RELEASE:
The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) join the entire Catholic Faithful in Owerri Archdiocese and across Nigeria to strongly condemn the attack against His Grace Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri by officials of the Imo State government and Leadership of the Ugwumba Movement a political structure for the 2019 Governorship Campaign of the Imo State Chief of Staff and son-in-law of Governor Rochas Okorocha during a celebration of a Holy Mass at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Ngwoma, Owerri North LGA, Imo State.
These dastardly acts have become frequent occurrences in the current administration against leading religious leaders, human rights activists and social critics. The present event goes further to underscore that in Imo State under the current administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha there is suspension of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion enshrined in Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are very serious violations of governance and constitute impeachable offences.
We ask the Imo State House of Assembly to investigate the matter and hold the necessary public hearings to that effect with a view to getting at the truth. Failure of the Imo State House Assembly to investigate this incident is another failure of its oversight functions and calls to questions if the house is leaving up to its constitutional responsibilities. We hope that the rule of law and Constitution would be restored in Imo State.
Academician (Prof.) Dr Philip C. Njemanze MD, Chairman ACPMPN Owerri Archdiocese