Charly Boy caused a major controversy at the memorial mass of the late eminent jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Oguta, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State when he angrily prevented politicians including the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha from speaking after the mass.
Independent reports,
Charly Boy, who wore a sullen and agonizing look all through the funeral mass attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, got up immediately the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was called to read his speech, shortly after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, finished reading the President’s condolence massage and snatched the microphone from the Governor.
The intervention of the presiding priest and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, could not assuage his anger as he insisted that no politician would take advantage of his father’s burial to score “cheap political” goals.
Charly Boy had three weeks ago walked out during the Imo State organised Day of Tribute in honour of the late justice, when Okorocha climbed the podium to make his speech.
Consequently, the visibly angry Okorocha stormed out of the church in the company of his commissioners and security aides and was besieged at the gate by angry supporters, who berated Charly Boy for humiliating the Governor.
Immediately after that, the crowd began to disperse.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Kukah who acknowledged the virtues and character of the late justice of the Supreme Court, admitted that, “to tolerate a son like Charly Boy by a man of late Justice Oputa’s reputation, is a measure of the greatness of the man”.
Calling on Nigerians to stand up in defence of justice and equity, the Bishop stated that the late Oputa was obsessed with the concept of justice and equity during his life time.
“Oputa before he died was worried about the quality of Nigerian lawyers and judges because he believed in the judiciary as the hope of the nation. Today his legacies are beyond his immediate family”.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, former Anambra and Imo states governors, Peter Obi and Ikedi Ohakim.
Others were Willie Obiano (Anambra) Theodore Orji (Abia) Senator Chris Ngige, among others.
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