Okigwe Catholic bishop sacks priest and his assistant after shooting incident between them

IMO State clergyman Reverend Father Christian Amusuo has been sacked by the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese Rt Reverend Solomon Amatu for allegedly shooting his assistant Reverend Father Precious Osuji.

In the first ever such case of its kind in Nigeria, Reverend Father Amusuo was said to have shot Reverend Father Osuji. the parish priest of the church in Eziama-Osuama, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. In a swift response, the bishop not only dismissed the senior clergyman but his assistant was not spared either, as the prelate equally removed him from the parish.

Apparently, on June, 23, Reverend Amusuo had shot his former assistant at the parish house after a heated argument. It was gathered that the former parish priest had reportedly accused Reverend Osuji of constantly disobeying him and flouting his orders.

Reverend Amusuo was later arrested by the police for being in possession of a firearm and shooting his former assistant. Since then, however, the cleric has been released on bail after he was interrogated at the state Criminal and Investigations Department of the police command in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Confirming the sacking of the priests by Bishop Amatu, one parishioner said that a new priest had temporarily been drafted to the parish. Also, parish laity leader, Sir Jude Obi, said that a new parish priest would be assuming duties in a full capacity on Sunday, July 9.

Sir Obi mentioned that the immediate intervention of the bishop by dismissing the two priests prevented the youths from locking up the church. He also added that the new priest drafted to the parish celebrated Mass on July 2.