The death of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala, the Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Clever Catholic Church Odida Nnewichi, Nnewi, has continued to generate many disturbing controversies as the Police report is still being awaited.
It will be recalled that Anaedonline.com reported that tragedy struck on Saturday, 16th November, at St. Peter’s Clever Catholic Church Odida Nnewichi, Nnewi, after a fire explosion killed the Parish Priest of the Church, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala under a controversial circumstance in his residence. Fire Burns Catholic Priest To Death In Nnewi (Photos)
The fire explosion was said to have started at 4:00 am on Saturday morning, after the Priest returned to his residence around 1:00 am.
According to the spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, Haruna Mohammed,
“The inferno which causes is yet to be ascertained affected the part of the church’s residential building. As a result of the Parish Priest, one Rev. Fr. Edmond Nwagbara, was burnt beyond recognition inside his room at the same premises”
Mohammed said at the time of the incident, the police patrol team attached to the Otolo Division, led by the DPO, visited the scene, and that the fire service department was alerted, but that before they reached the scene, the priest had been burnt to death.
While the official police report is yet to be made public, there is serious insinuation in some quarters that the death of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala was not ordinary.
It will be recalled that after resuming plenary last two weeks, Anambra State House of Assembly, called on the securities agencies in the state to investigate the death of Nnewi Catholic Priest, Very Rev. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala.
The call was made after the lawmaker representing Nnewi North Constituency, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor, while moving for adjournment of plenary, used the opportunity to speak on the need to investigate the death of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala.
According to him, the majority of his constituents believe that the death of the Priest was not a natural death, hence, the need for a serious investigation to unravel what happened.
Nonso Okafor pleaded with the security agencies to ascertain whether it was a natural death or homicide, since the circumstances in which he died, has raised many suspicions.
The Governor of Anambra State on his own part have also not only called on security agencies to do the needful, he also visited the scene of the incident, a day after the incident, accompanied by security chiefs in the state.
Speaking to Anaedoonline.com, one of the parishioner of the Church who pleaded anonymity said that from observation, what led to the death of the priest was not a fire but rather, an explosive device was either planted in his room or in a gift that might have been given to him from where he was coming from, since the fire didn’t go beyond the room.
According to a statement allegedly credited to a member of the Family of the late priest, he said that “Although police authorities in Anambra State reported that the priest died in a fire accident, security agencies, the church in Nnewi and the government must look deeper if they want to get to the root of the matter”
READ ALSO: Anambra Lawmakers Demands Investigation into the Death of Nnewi Catholic Priest
“If there was any known or established problems he had with anyone, and where did the priest come back from at that hour of the night? Whether he actually came back with parcels; who gave him those gifts? How could the contents of such parcels be ascertained? Was it true that another priest, Rev. Fr? John Okosa, was with him at the time of the incident? If yes, he should lead the investigators into what transpired before the fire.”
Last week, news filtered around town that some priests of Nnewi Catholic Diocese were arrested by the Nigeria Police in relation to the death of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala, while the news is yet to be confirmed by the Nigeria Police, people are already raising an eyebrow over the alleged arrest.
On the arrest, it was being reported that Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Nwagbala before his death was being considered as the Next Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese.
According to records, Fr. Nwagbara who was also the Dean of Nnewi Catholic Diocese has served over 25 years as a Catholic priest and was 60 years old at the time of his death.
Late Fr. Nwagbara was a lecturer at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, Enugu, before he was posted to Nnewi Diocese.
It is also important to note that Fr. Nwagbara also has over a hundred shops in Nkwo Nnewi, an inheritance he got from his father.
Could his death be linked with any possible differences he might have had with his clients?
However, for the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, they are of the opinion that late Very Rev. Fr. Edmund Nwagbara, might have died from inhaling toxic fume from the inverter battery in his apartment which exploded.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr Hyginus Aghaulor, gave the explanation in a statement released by the Diocese on the death.
No Govt. Task Force On Enforcement Of Fire Extinguisher In Nnewi – Anambra Commissioner.
He said that Rev. Fr. John Obasi, the first Assistant Parish Priest of the church, was also affected but escaped with burn injuries. According to him, Nwagbara might have died from toxic fumes from the inverter battery in his apartment.
He said that Fr. Nwagbara conducted a sacrament of reconciliation for a couple he was to conduct a wedding for in the morning he died.
He explained that about 2.30 am, there was a big bang coming from Fr. Edmund’s (Nwagbara) room that woke some people up. But before the intervention of people, his apartment was already in flames.
Part of the statement reads;
”It is very likely that the fire came from the inverter in his room. When it was heated up, the battery blew up like a bomb.
“Looking at late Fr. Edmund’s remains, he didn’t look like someone that struggled before dying.
“The toxin from the burning battery which he must have been inhaling slowly in his sleep might have killed him before the actual fire burnt him.
“One would expect someone struggling or trying to escape to die very close to the door or at a corner and not to relax on his bed,” he said.
Fr. Nwagbala has been described as one of the most vibrant priests in Nnewi Catholic Diocese. He was committed to the growth and development of the church, especially in taking care of the welfare of the members.
According to reports, hundreds of widows and school children were under salary and scholarship, which he funds through his personal pocket.
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