Catholic priest in prison over assault on policemen

A Catholic priest was, yesterday, remanded in prison custody over alleged attack on policemen investigating issues arising from the crisis in his parish in EnuguState.

The priest, who was arraigned alongside three other parishioners, was charged with assault and unlawful attempt to kill one Inspector Cosmos Nzeribe and a team of police officers attached to police headquarters, Enugu.

The Enugu Magistrate’s Court, which remanded the priest was, however, besieged by hundreds of his supporters, who wore long faces as the priest was being taken to the prison.

He was said to be having a running battle with the Bishop of Awgu Catholic Diocese.

Presiding Magistrate, E.M. Egumgbe, remanded the suspects in prison custody, saying that they can apply for bail in a high court.

Counsel to the priest, Ray Nnaji, who spoke with newsmen after the court session, said that his client was sent to prison on trumped up charges.

Nnaji said the policemen beat up the priest after stripping him naked and detained him.

He said: “I have been following this matter for some time.

“We know quite well that beating up the police is condemnable, though the priest has said he has no business with beating the police and did not tell anyone to beat the police.”