By Abraham Ovuba
Bishop Ndubueze Onyeagoziri Okorie of Champions Cathedral, has described his period in custody and subsequent discharge and acquittal as a difficult experience that strengthened his faith and transformed his outlook on life.
Okorie spoke during a thanksgiving service at the church’s cathedral in Mile 50, Abakaliki, to celebrate his freedom from the legal ordeal and mark the church’s 20th anniversary.
The service attracted Christian leaders and worshippers from within and outside Ebonyi State who gathered to celebrate with the bishop.
Okorie was earlier arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command following allegations by a young woman, Euphemia Ede, who accused him of sexual exploitation under the guise of spiritual healing.
The allegation included claimed that the bishop promised that having sexual relations with him for seven days would spiritually heal her of sickle cell disease.
Reflecting on his experience, Okorie said he never imagined he would be incarcerated but later viewed the period as an opportunity for spiritual reflection.
“I never thought in my life that I would be incarcerated, but for a reason. God took me into a secluded place, first of all to have an encounter with Him,” he said.
The bishop said the ordeal also revealed his genuine friends and those who abandoned him when he needed them.
He said he had forgiven everyone involved in the case, including Ede, whom he described as someone who lived with him for five years.
“This journey has helped my destiny. So why would I be angry if you helped me to become somebody better than I never knew I would become?” he asked.
Okorie urged Christians facing difficulties to draw closer to God, rather than allow their challenges to weaken their faith.
He also appealed to government and the judiciary to uphold fair hearing and ensure speedy justice, particularly for awaiting trial inmates.
Preaching at the service, Archbishop Dr. Osmond Rafiu Bakare likened Okorie’s experience to the biblical story of King Hezekiah, saying difficult situations could be reversed through divine intervention.
Champions Cathedral has branches in parts of Nigeria and other countries like Zambia, Malaysia, and the United States of America.
