The people of Agba community, Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, were on Saturday drawn to tears by the pleadings of 25 years old Chiadikaobi Ezeibekwe, who committed incest with his 17 years old sister, Chikaodi Ezeibekwe.

The family underwent a spiritual cleansing performed by the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church Ekwulobia, Rev Fr. Ignatius Onwuatuegwu.

Chiadikobi Ezeibekwe, a Maths teacher in one of the schools in the area, and her sister, a former student of Government Technical College, Awka, got married in a church beside their house and was joined in marriage by their elder brother, Chijioke, who conducted the service as the officiating priest.

Though, the marriage was supported by their 53 years old mother, Josephine Ezeibekwe, and father Lewis (78 years) popularly known as Luisco, the eldest son of the family, Emeka Ezeibekwe (33 years), kicked against the marriage describing it is an abomination.

It was Emeka who reported the incest to the chairman of their extended family group, Mr. Sylvester Ezenyekwele who then blew the cankerworm open.

In his sermon at the mass which was held in front of Ezeibekwe’s house in Ekwulobia, the officiating priest, Rev Fr. Ignatius Onwuatuegwu, said the gathering was an opportunity to emphasise on the social effect of sin.

He noted that the cleansing process will involve prayer of restitution and family reconciliation.

His words: “This issue does not concern only the family of Lewis, it concerns the entire Ekwulobia.

“We are in a world that has disintegrated. This cleansing is important for all us and the entire country.”

In his sermon picked from the book of John and first Peter 24:2, the priest called on people to repent saying that the sin of incest has become rampant in the society.

“We are here to do reparation of the sin that is already rampant in our society. It is also an opportunity for us to do reparation for Ekwulobia.

“I am particularly touched by this boy Chiadi. When I came to Ekwulobia, I met him as a boy yearning for the things of God. He was the leader of the block rosary group but here we are today. When I heard the story, I was taken aback. Only God knows what happened.”

Before the cleansing process which was performed with water and salt, the family of eight was asked to kneel before the traditional ruler, traditional prime minister and elders of the community to apologise to the entire Agba Ekwulobia community.

In his apology, Chiadikaobi said he has accepted his wrong and was sorry.

He said: “What we did is wrong and an abomination. I feel pained in my heart. I did not do it because I was hungry for a woman or attracted to my sister, far from it. I apologise to everyone. I am very sorry for bringing all of you out here under the sun. Please forgive. We have gone through the process of annulment and the marriage has been annulled.”

On her part, his sister, Chibuzo said: “Nobody knows what abomination is except God, I ask for forgiveness.”

The mother who showed no sign of remorse; she only sang and refused to talk.

Though their father did not talk, he was full of tears and expressed regret at his children’s action.

Items used for the cleansing were water, salt, sheep and seven palm frond branches.

After cleansing the entire compound, seven virgin adorning white dresses used the seven palm frond branches to sweep the entire compound.

The cleansing was witnessed by a mammoth crowd which was drawn to tears when Chiadikobi was apologising.

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