By Jude Atupulazi
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Central Police Station, Onitsha, Anambra State, Mr. Rabiu Garba, has educated the Catholic Men’s Organization (CMO) of St. Augustine’s Catholic Parish, Omeife 3’3, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, on bail conditions and other issues.
Speaking as a guest lecturer, the DPO disclosed that there were three types of bails which the public should be aware of and know when they were applicable.
According to him the three included, Police Bail, Court Bail and Appeal Court Bail, stating that in the Police Bail case, that bail was free.
‘Bail is free in the Police Bail and any rank and file that insists on money for bail, try and get to the DPO. There is no section of the law that authorized police to take bribe.
‘However, because of the meagre salary payment some take home, they take bribe at their own risk. Also if you are not granted bail when it is a bailable offence, under human rights justice system, you can get to a magistrate court for bail if it is not granted to you by the police,’ he stated.
On the issue of holding a proxy responsible for an offence, he did not commit, the DPO said it was illegal to do so, maintaining that only those who committed the offence should be held responsible.
‘But in the case of a minor committing an offence, it is the parents of the minor that should be held responsible because they should have ensured that they monitor and prevent the minor from committing the offence as he is ignorant of the dangers or outcome inherent in it,’ he further explained.
Earlier, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme, who also represented the State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr Tony Ifeanya, also spoke on the theme, “The role of fathers in families and Church.”
According to Ezekwueme, the topic was most apt and appropriate now that the majority of Christian fathers had neglected the roles expected of them to play, stating that fathers, as leaders, must lead by example.
Ezekwueme disclosed that 40 awardees were honoured for their tremendous contribution towards the development of the Church and advised the awardees to continue to live lives worthy of emulation.
Francis Nnaji Agidi, Chairman, CMO, St Augustine’s Parish, thanked the DPO for the lecture, adding that he had taught them what they did not know.
He advised fathers to take good care of their families stating, ‘Every father should put more effort as a human being to make sure his children and wife are well behaved, both at home and in society,’ he said.
Rev. Fr. Fidelis Chiefe, Parish Priest, expressed gratitude, saying, ‘By God’s grace, I’ve been here almost seven months. Today’s event exceeded my expectations; the preparations were meticulous. I commend everyone’s efforts and give thanks to God for this blessing.
‘Fathering Sunday is a celebration which the Church encourages and also holds it in calendar months so that the fathers will come and reflect on their role as fathers, both in the family and in the Church because they are pillars; they contribute to the Church and family.
‘It is a welcome event, we appreciate it, our young married men will be inspired by the elderly ones, so that they will queue up and follow their lives to build up their families, because family is a nuclear Church.
‘I advise the fathers to never see this as a social celebration; there must be a difference from something that is done outside the church and the one done inside the church, so they should see the spiritual aspect of the celebration and by observing that it will help them to know their role in the families as fathers,” the Cleric noted.
Onowu Martin Nwammadu expressed his delight, saying, ‘Since our parish was established, this is the first time we’ve experienced an event like this. I’m thrilled to be alive to witness it, and I thank God for this blessing.’
He thanked the DPO for the lecture and prayed God to bless him more. He also appreciated Rev Fr Fidelis Chiefe for what he described as his tremendous work in the parish; even as he advised the fathers to take the lessons being taught to their various families for the good of society.
The event featured cutting of cake, presentation of awards to 40 deserving parishioners, cultural dance by CMO, presentation of Ndi Igwe by each zone of the 7 zones that make up the parish, among others.
