The entire family of Lewis Ezeibekwe in Agba community in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church underwent spiritual cleansing.
Read also: Anambra sibling marriage: March 17 fixed for dissolution
The Ezeibekwes made the headlines, albeit for the wrong reason after two of them, Chiadiakobi Ezeibekwe, a teacher, and his sister, 17-year-old Chibuzor were joined together in unholy matrimony, at a wedding officiated by the couple’s elder brother, Pastor Chijioke of Dwelling Fullness of God Church.
The controversial wedding sparked public outrage and violence as the shanty church was attacked and vandalised. In the wake, the groom and the bride called time on their marriage and publicly apologised.
“What we did was wrong and an abomination to our community. I feel pained in my heart. I did not do it because I was hungry for a woman or attracted to my sister.
“I apologise to everyone. I am very sorry for bringing all of you out here under the sun. Please forgive us,” Chiadiakobi, a mathematics teacher had said.
Widely seen as an abomination despite the siblings’ dissolution of the union, traditional rites were also performed by the traditional prime minister of Ekwulobia, Chief Gabriel Ezeukwu on the Ezeibekwes to cleanse the family and prevent them from alleged wrath of God and gods.
Yesterday a spiritual cleansing of the family took place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia.
It was conducted by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Onwuatuegwu and he warned against incest, adding that the cleansing was not for the Ezeibekwes alone but for all Nigerians.
