A sickle cell advocate, Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, has formally withdrawn her petition against Bishop Samuel Ndubueze Okorie of Ebonyi State, who was recently accused of sexually exploiting a female sickle cell patient over a five-year period.
Bishop Okorie had been detained by the Ebonyi State Police Command for two weeks following allegations made by a 22-year-old woman identified only as Euphemia. The woman claimed the cleric engaged in a sexual relationship with her under the guise of providing a solution to her health condition.
In her earlier petition, Maduagwu, who is the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), called for the immediate prosecution of the bishop. She had addressed the petition to the Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, and Governor Francis Nwifuru.
However, in a statement issued over the weekend, Maduagwu said she was withdrawing the petition, citing findings from her independent investigation which, according to her, revealed inconsistencies in the complainant’s narrative.
“After my investigations with testimonies from different quarters tied to the case, I am withdrawing my initial report against the bishop and providing clarity to promote understanding and healing,” the statement read in part.
According to Maduagwu, the alleged victim was introduced to the bishop in 2021 by her parents and began a consensual relationship with him in 2022. She claimed that the woman’s father had expressed a desire for the bishop to impregnate her in order to have grandchildren, as she is the only surviving child with sickle cell disorder in the family.
Maduagwu further stated that the bishop supported the woman financially and medically, including purchasing a vehicle for her school transportation business, paying for exam tutorials, providing a monthly stipend, and donating blood during health emergencies. She also noted that the woman was appointed to a leadership position in the bishop’s ministry.
She disputed claims that the relationship was coercive, stating that available information indicated mutual consent between both parties. Maduagwu also dismissed allegations of threats or use of weapons, and said there was no evidence supporting claims of intimidation.
Addressing the circulation of nude photographs involving the bishop and the woman, Maduagwu said the images were taken with mutual consent and stored on the bishop’s phone, which was reported stolen on September 2, 2025. She said the images began circulating nearly three weeks later.
“When the bishop and the complainant were invited to the police station, they arrived together. However, after a brief private discussion with a man who introduced himself as an ‘Apostle,’ the woman altered her stance,” Maduagwu stated.
She alleged that the woman was being sponsored by a prominent businessman, a politician, and a cleric in Ebonyi State, with the intention of discrediting the bishop and manipulating public sentiment using the sickle cell advocacy platform.
Maduagwu also criticized media outlets and content creators for publishing one-sided narratives without verifying facts from all parties involved.
“Responsible journalism requires due diligence in reaching out to all parties concerned to verify claims and provide a balanced report,” she added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Police Command has not issued a formal statement regarding the current status of the investigation or whether Bishop Okorie will face prosecution.
