Shock and disbelief have trailed the arrest and detention of Archbishop Professor Samuel Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, the General Overseer of Champions of Truth Church in Abakaliki, over allegations of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman.
While the scandal has stirred outrage across Ebonyi State, the bishop’s children have come out strongly in his defense, insisting that their father is “a victim of manipulation and a target of a wicked conspiracy.”
Ndubueze, a respected cleric and academic, was accused of having sexual relations with Euphemia Edeh, an Ezza young lady reportedly living with sickle cell disease.
According to police sources, the bishop allegedly claimed that sleeping with her would “change her genotype” and cure her of the illness.
He was arrested following a formal petition and subsequently remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre by a Magistrate Court.
But in a passionate statement released by his son, Daniel Chukwuebuka Ndubueze, the family described the entire allegation as “a calculated plot to destroy our father’s image and ministry.”
“Our father was not a predator but a victim,” Daniel wrote.
“He was manipulated by Euphemia Edeh in ways that twisted love into lies and trust into torment. What began as an act of kindness became a trap, pulling him and now us into this abyss," he further stated.
According to the family, the young woman had lived with the bishop’s household for over three years while receiving care and financial support.
They claimed that Archbishop Ndubueze even donated his blood to save her during a health crisis — an act they said proves compassion, not exploitation.
While admitting that a sexual relationship later developed between their father and the woman, the children insisted it was “born out of weakness, not wickedness.”
“We do not excuse his mistake. But we know he never intended harm. He cared for her deeply, even when it strained our family. Now that same compassion has been turned into a weapon against him," he stressed.
The children alleged that certain unnamed individuals, driven by jealousy and malice, have joined forces with a local podcaster known as Ebonyi Son to amplify “falsehoods” against their father.
“They churn out lies like poison, painting an innocent man as a monster.
“Our father’s ministry is under siege, his name dragged through the mud, his church thrown into confusion," he added.
The family also made a direct appeal to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and the people of Ebonyi to intervene in what they described as “a travesty of justice.”
“We beg our governor to look into this case with compassion. Our father has been humiliated, our home shattered, and our future uncertain. We believe the truth will vindicate him,” the family said.
They also revealed that Archbishop Ndubueze has privately apologized to his family and church members for his moral failings, pleading for forgiveness while maintaining his innocence in the alleged crime.
“He fell to his knees before us, weeping, asking for forgiveness.
"We have forgiven him, and we ask the world to do the same until the truth prevails," he disclosed.
As of press time, police authorities have not released further updates on the investigation, and efforts to reach the alleged victim, Euphemia Edeh, for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, reactions across Ebonyi have been divided with some calling for justice for the young girl, and others urging caution against condemning the cleric before trial.
