The Catholic Diocese of Awka in Anambra State has launched an investigation into an alleged altercation involving one of its priests, Rev. Fr. Jude Muokwe, and a 50-year-old widow, Mrs. Ikeorah Maureen.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday, reportedly left the woman traumatised and in severe pain, leading to mixed reactions across the state.

According to sources, the altercation began when Muokwe, who is the Manager of Angel Primary School, a mission school in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia LGA, entered a classroom where Ikeorah and other school staff were holding a meeting.

The meeting discussed a salary increment request to present to the school management.

“The widow and some other staff members of the school were having a meeting in one of the classrooms in the school discussing their interest in salary increment, which they intended to relate to the school management thereafter,” a source revealed. “But the priest barged into the classroom with a cane and started beating her mercilessly, accusing her of being the convener of the meeting, and it resulted in a kind of brawl between both parties.”

Another source from the school stated that Ikeorah slapped the priest first, prompting him to retaliate, which escalated into a physical confrontation.