The Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra, said it has been alarmed by the alleged assault of a female teacher by a Reverend Father in one of its schools.
Reverend Father Charles Ndubuisi, Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Awka, made this known in a statement on Tuesday. He said in a statement that the assault was regrettable and an investigation into the flogging of the 50-year-old widowed teacher would be launched.
“The suspect, Rev. Fr. Jude Muokwe, is a Manager at Angel Primary School, Ifitedunu, a mission school in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
“He allegedly brutalised Mrs Ikeorah Maureen, a 50-year-old widow who works as a teacher in the school,” Ndubuisi said.
“The Diocese regrets this unfortunate incident which took place on Wednesday, Feb.12.
“The Catholic Diocese of Awka upholds the integrity of character and respect of all and cannot condone any type of misconduct in any of our schools.
“We promise to investigate the circumstances of the incident and the extent of violation of the ethical standards established by the Diocese for all Diocesan schools and apply immediate disciplinary actions,” he said.
Sources at the school who pleaded anonymity told newsmen that Muokwe allegedly inflicted injuries on the widow after flogging her with a cane and also slapping her.
The victim and some other members of staff of the school had been having a meeting in one of the classrooms where they discussed salary increases.
They were planning to make a report to the school management on the need to upwardly review their salary when Muokwe allegedly barged into the venue and started flogging the victim.
The cleric was also alleged to have accused her of being the convener of the meeting
Another source from the school stated that Ikeorah slapped the priest first, prompting him to retaliate, which escalated into a physical confrontation.
