Priest under Arrest, by Kathryn Marchocki, Union Leader, September 15, 2006

Priest under Arrest

By Kathryn Marchocki
Union Leader
September 15, 2006

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?
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Manchester – A Roman Catholic priest who ministers to African refugees and immigrants in New Hampshire is accused of sexually and physically assaulting a 27-year-old city woman and holding her against her will over the last 11 months.

The Rev. John O. Lawani, 40, turned himself in to Manchester police late yesterday afternoon after an investigation that began several days ago.

Lawani, who is a priest with the Diocese of Ilorin, Nigeria, has been serving in the Manchester diocese since mid-October when Bishop John B. McCormack assigned him chaplain to the African Apostolate, which is based at St. Joseph Cathedral.

He is charged with two counts of sexual assault, five counts of simple assault and two counts of false imprisonment.

Lawani, who lives in St. Joseph Cathedral Rectory at 145 Lowell St., is being held on $50,000 bail pending arraignment on the misdemeanor charges in Manchester District Court today.

The woman Lawani is accused of assaulting and imprisoning recently went to police and told them the alleged incidents took place since last October.

"Bishop McCormack has placed Fr. Lawani on leave as a precaution pending the resolution of this matter and the Bishop of Ilorin, Nigeria has been notified," the diocese said in a statement last night.

Geraldine Kirega, a Manchester resident from Tanzania, said she met with Lawani several times to seek his assistance in developing after-school programs for children of African refugees and immigrants. Kirega is executive director of Life Solution International, a nonprofit organization that helps African children and families with cultural integration.

"I thought he was a good man. I'm really surprised to hear that he is accused of such a thing because I don't expect a priest to do such things when they know that there are these scandals going on that are making churches close," Kirega said.

Diocesan spokesman Pat McGee said police are in charge of the investigation. He would not say when the diocese first learned of the allegations. He said Lawani is being represented by Manchester criminal defense attorney John P. Kacavas.

Kacavas could not be reached for comment last night.