Arequiem mass organised for the late Socrates of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa at his country home in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State was disrupted yesterday, when the first son of the former erudite judge, Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charley Boy prevented Governor Rochas Okorocha from paying tribute to his father
Eye witnesses said that the mass which was conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rt Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oguta, went on smoothly until Okorocha was permitted by the Bishop to pay his tribute to the fallen judge.
However, Chief Okorocha, was stopped midway into his speech, by Charley Boy who was visibly infruiated with Kukah for granting the governor the permission to speak. He walked up angrily to the altar and snatched the micro-phone from the governor, to the embarrassment of all the dignitaries present. It was a disgrace to the governor.
Among eminent Nigerians present at the church service included representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra), Theodore Orji (Abia); the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and former governors of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige and Mr Peter Obi respectively.
Also present, were the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim,, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, the state Police Commsiioner, Almajid Ali and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, for Oguta, Ikembuchukwu Abugu.
The intervention of Bishop Kukah could not assuage Charly Boy’s anger as he insisted that no politician would take advantage of his father’s burial to score “cheap political” goals. He insisted that the Governor should not speak at the event.
However, obviously embarrassed by Charley Boy’s action, the Governor and members his entourage hurriedly left the church service mid -way, despite entreaties from the officiating Bishop Kuka for them to stay on.
It was gathered that Charly Boy’s action followed a recent statement by Government House, Owerri, to the effect that the Oputa family was given N20 million to assist it in the burial arrangements.
Sources told Saturday Vanguard, however, that “the family never received a dime from either Okorocha or the state government, not to talk of the alleged N20 million said to have been made available to them,’’ as reported by a section of the media.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop who lauded the virtues of Justice Oputa, stressed that “to tolerate a son like Charley Boy by a man of late Justice Oputa’s reputation, is a measure of the greatness of the man.”
He called on Nigerians to stand up in defence of justice and equity, adding that late Oputa had serious liking for the concept of justice and equity during his life time.
”Oputa before he died, was worried about the quality of Nigerian lawyers and judges because he believed in the judiciary as the last hope of the nation. Today, his legacies are beyond his immediate family,” Bishop Kuka said
Meanwhile, the state government has described the incident that played out at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oguta, as “ugly and regrettable.”
According to a statement by the Seniour Special Assistant, SSA, Media, to Governor Okorocha, Mr Sam Onwuemodo, “It is highly regrettable that the son of the late Justice, Mr Charles Emeka Oputa, aka, Charly Boy, threw caution to the wind and turned the church service into a political theatre that saw him acting or playing out the script he drafted in Abuja with some Imo politicians, who have remained cowed by the overwhelming popularity of Governor Rochas Okorocha.”
Onwuemeodo insisted that the state government made “substantial financial input and also organized a special day of tributes for the late Justice Oputa at the expense of state government with Charly Boy also present with other members of the family.
”We condemn that ugly incident and also wish to advise politicians from the state to stop heating up the polity over power since God is the giver of power. In 2015, God will decide who will be governor of Imo State and when God decides that, there is nothing anybody can do about it.” He did not make to reference to the N20m said to have been given to the family. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Shame to Bokoharam Governor of Imo State. No accommodation to BK Governors in SS and SE. It has not started yet. The Governor was the one who threw caution to air when he ignored and betrayed the people and church that brought him to power and started romancing with devils BK (Anti-Christ). God will surely continue to disgrace them. Why would he claim what he did not do. If he gave money let him show evidence. I still remember, Oguta people especially church women demonstrated to bring Rochas power when then Ohakim wanted to rig election there, to power only for him to turn around and start importing evil into the state. Bomb scares in Owerri and everywhere in the east and south.
ReplyDeleteYou are on point. I wonder why this RogueCharles can forget in a hurry how Oguta people fought for him to be on that seat thinking he is a clean man. He has not seen anything, by 2015 he will definitely be out of that seat.
DeleteInfact I don't blame the governor, but I blame the bishop. With all due respect, how on earth could a bishop of a church permitt an unbeliver a muslim on the altar of God. Its a shame, Wit all sincerity, I believe that this bishop in question hasn't gone through the right means. The alter of God is not meant for any how person to stand on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Adaeze, the two anonymous could not be said to be true Christians by calling Rochas Okorocha a BH and an unbeliever (they do not know the meaning of a believer in the first instance). the two Anonymous are the real unbeliever by Judging Rochas Okorocha. It is unfortunate how lowly some people in this country had degenerated to, just because of political leaning. These two had better go on their knees and pray for forgiveness else the wrath of God comes upon them for Judging another person. As for Charlie Lad or whatever he calls himself, I do not blame him since he has an ego complex, I am not surprised by his action as he is long lost and has no iota of shame in him.
DeleteThe two anonymous above are fools. Owelle has nothing to do with boko haram. As for Charly boy, whose father disowned before his demise, will regret his misconduct. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI must say the first 2 commentators needs to seek knowledge and wisdom same goes for charley boy,how can he degrade himself like that?on ur father's burial ceremony where everybody came to pay their last respect! How can one cause a scene on the day of his father's burial? If he has an issue with the governor he can address it after the ceremony! Why display arrogance in the presence of other sited dignitaries that doesn't even know you had issues with the governor. This is a man(Charley), that has grown up kids what example is he setting for this children? I must say his actions are improper and he needs to grow up.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Again what's Boko Haram got to do with this issue? Must we comment?if you have nothing to say why not keep quiet and flip the page after all A FOOL IS CONSIDERED WISE IF HE OR SHE KEEPS HIS/HER MOUTH SHUT!
Mark
You guys kept on calling APC governors BH governors! even when the FG under GEJ has agreed that BH is an international Terriorist Organisation....Again,Are there manifestation of BH activities in all the states where APC steers their affairs? Nigerians are more intelligent than this and I believe we all should think clearly and not allow politicians to becloud our thoughts by their antics after-all, they don't invite us to their nocturnal meetings where they share our common wealth.....Think Nigerians!
ReplyDelete