Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Maurice Mbeke, who was allegedly accused of impregnating Mrs. Abasieseabanga Ikoiwak, wife of Late Barrister Godwin Ikoiwak while she was 19 years old and named the child after his maternal grandfather, has reacted to the allegations
Rev. Father Maurice Mbeke source -Facebook
Recall that social media report had reported that in the ongoing trial of the 36-year-old lawyer Abasiesebanga Ikoiwak and five others over the gruesome murder of her husband, 41-year-old Barrister Godwin Ikoiwak, Barr. Anyanwu, who is the 7th prosecution witness in the matter, alleged that the late state attorney told him that his wife had stayed with a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Maurice Mbeke, as a house help; The Catholic priest impregnated her, and they had a child who is now 19 years old named after his maternal grandfather.
Days after, the Rev Father Maurice Mbeke, in a statement signed by the clergy and made available on social media, states otherwise.
FULL STATEMENT
RE: INFIDELITY – HOW WOMAN KILLED HER HUSBAND AFTER BRINGING IN HER BIOLOGICAL SON AS HOUSE HELP – COURT RESUMES TRIAL OF CATHOLIC PRIEST WHO GOT HER PREGNANT -A REBUTTAL
–My attention has been brought to the above malicious story published by a certain online platform and circulated on the social media and a few print media. Ordinarily, I should ignore the story as it is full of distortion and untrue representation of facts, but the falsehood contained therein in relation to my name has necessitated this rebuttal.
I am aware that the main issue that has led to this falsehood is before a court of competent jurisdiction and I will try, as much as possible to avoid the issues already before the court. It is, however, necessary to set the records straight and repudiate the unfortunate falsehood against my name and reputation.
First, I am not aware of the pendency of any suit in any court anywhere involving me. I have never been invited by any law enforcement agency and have not faced any investigation in the light of the picture painted by the story.
Secondly, I have not had any female house help since I was ordained a priest in 2002.
Thirdly, I do not have any child whether biological or adopted.My own contact, closely with the lady in question and her late husband was in 2020 when I was posted to St. Hilary’s parish, Ekit Itam as parish priest in which both were parishioners even before I went to the parish.
To further proof my innocence, I am willing to submit myself to DNA/paternity test as a way of putting this malicious falsehood to rest.It is completely misleading to claim that I am standing trial for what I absolutely know nothing about in a non-existent trial.
The matter before the courts is what it is and not one that involves me.The general public is enjoined to ignore this falsehood and biased sensationalism. Journalists should be able to cross-check their facts and ensure that their reportage is free from complete falsehood and misleading information.
Whosever wants to rush into publishing that news item, should exercise restraint since the matter that allegedly generated this piece of malicious publication is pending before the court and the court is yet to take a decision on it.
However, I will advise anybody that desires to make a publication on same to exercise restraint.As for the journalist/persons that started this falsehood and those that helped in spreading it, whether paid or voluntarily, I have forgiven them in conscience but they should know that every action has a corresponding effect.
I make this submission for the purposes of correction of facts and to repudiate the unfortunate falsehood against my name and reputation.
Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke 24 -04 -2023
IKOIWAKs
BACKGROUND
The wife of the deceased, Barrister Abasiesebanga Ikoiwak, is standing trial alongside her mother, 66-year-old Margaret Patrick Umoh, her brother, Owoidoho Patrick Umoh, a Catholic priest, 51-year-old Reverend Father Gabriel Ekong, and a medical doctor, Isaac Njoku who are charged issuing false report on the cause of death of Barrister Godwin Ikoiwak.
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