Cleric denies receiving N250m from Imo govt

Catholic Archbishop of Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony
J. V. Obinna, has denied ever receiving N250
million from Imo State government for
distribution to Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta youths.
Archbishop Obinna, who was reacting, in
Owerri, to a recent government statement
that appointed him chairman of a
committee that would disburse the money
to youths of oil producing communities, also
explained that his clerical duties did not
include disbursement of government
money.
Dr. Obinna said: “I want to state clearly that I
did not touch the N250 million. I did not
accept the offer and it is not my duty to
distribute money to Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta
youths.”
The Catholic cleric wondered why the state
government went ahead to announce his
name, even after he warned them against it
before travelling overseas.
He said: “It is a matter for regret that
despite my warning, the government still
went ahead to announce my name as the
chairman of the committee that would
distribute the purported N250 million to
youths.”
Apart from saying that his mentor, late
Bishop Mark Unaegbu, warned him against
accepting such appointments, Obinna also
explained that he is not a local government
functionary.
He added: “I am not a local government
agent and not in any position to distribute
money meant for the youths in the areas
mentioned by the state government.”
He further explained that when he got wind
of the planned appointment, he quickly
advised the administration against it
because he was not interested in any such
thing.
Continuing, Archbishop Obinna said: “Under
normal situation, government has a duty to
give subventions to the church to support
mission work in schools, hospitals and some
other projects. The money is public money
and not governor’s money.”
Obinna stressed that he had been very
careful in his relationship with the state
government as 2015 approach.
Reacting to the directive by Governor
Rochas Okorocha that Imo people should
pause at 12 noon to say the Angelus,
Archbishop Obinna cautioned against
politicization of the Catholic prayers in the
state.
The Archbishop said: “Government must be
told in very clear terms that prayers like the
Angelus is not part of government business.
Catholics in politics, especially those who
work against the church, are expected to do
the will of God and not the will of the
president, governor or commissioner.”

source: vanguard