Crime mini - Episode 4 -Betrayal in the Sanctuary: The Untold Story of Cyriacus Udegbulem (January 1, 2000)

In this gripping episode of "In Time Crime: Crime Mini," host Robin Bagayoko delves into a harrowing tale of betrayal and abuse within the walls of a place meant for solace and refuge. Join us as we uncover the disturbing case of a Nigerian prince turned priest, Cyriacus Udegbulem, who was arrested in Texas for a heinous crime committed years ago in Brooklyn.

Listen as we unravel the shocking details of how a woman seeking guidance from her church was met with the unimaginable. From the initial assault to the subsequent legal battles and the priest's attempts to evade justice, this episode sheds light on the dark side of trust and faith.

As we navigate through the twists and turns of this distressing story, you'll be left questioning the sanctity of spaces we often consider safe. Tune in for an eye-opening narrative that serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and perils hidden within our communities.

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Music by- Jeremy Blake 

 

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
InSign Crime presents Crime Mini for cases that did not get extensive coverage,
but InSign Crime would love to tell you all about it.
Music.

(00:28):
Hello and welcome back to another episode of In Time Crime, Crime Mini. me.
I'm your host, Robin Bagayoko. Now, today's episode is a little disturbing.
It's a little disturbing because especially when women go somewhere for help

(00:48):
and that is the place where she was assaulted, it can be a really bad story,
especially for women out there.
You know, we find it so hard to just go out into the world and be safe.
So this just proves to you that, you know, you can't trust pretty much anybody,

(01:10):
you know, but that's not saying that you can't,
try to, you know, put your trust in some people and there are good people out
there, but it's really sad when you try to get help and this is where you find
that you get assaulted. it.
Okay, so how are you guys doing?
It's a wonderful Thursday afternoon, and I appreciate you guys so much for tuning in.

(01:35):
So it's a mini episode, so we're going to get right into it, okay?
It's supposed to be nice and short. That's why it's called mini.
All right, so a Nigerian prince who was visiting Texas was arrested yesterday.
Oh, our story comes to us from January the 1st of 2000.

(01:57):
Okay, so this happened in the year 2000.
So a Nigerian prince who was visiting Texas was arrested Wednesday on charges
of sexual assaulting a woman two years ago while serving at a church in Brooklyn.
And Silas Udegblin, and mind you, I didn't take any time to try to pronounce

(02:20):
his name because he's a piece of crap. Who cares how you say his name?
38 years old, was taken into custody in Laredo at around 6 a.m.
Following his expulsion from the Diocese of Brooklyn in January of 2000,

(02:41):
He had relocated to Laredo.
So this story that I'm doing was, it was from January of 2002, or from June of 2002.
But the date that the incident occurred was January the 1st.
Okay, so he voluntarily agreed to be extradited and was transported back to

(03:06):
New York last night to confront allegations of rape and sodomy,
which carry a potential 25-year prison sentence.
25-year prison sentence.
Udag Belen, like I said, I don't care about, let's just call him Mr. U.
Mr. U was among 35 priests identified by the Brooklyn Diocese,

(03:32):
and submitted to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office on April 18 as part
of a new agreement to disclose the names of clergy members accused of sexual assault.
Mr. Yu was among 35 priests identified by the Brooklyn Diocese and provided

(03:53):
to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office on April 18 as part of a new agreement
to disclose the names of clergy members accused of sexual abuse.
According to DA Charles Hines, Mr.
Hughes allegedly assaulted a woman on January 1st of 2000 in the rectory of

(04:18):
Our Lady of Clarity Church after she sought the priest's counsel regarding annulling her marriage.
After sitting with her on a sofa, Mr. Yu unexpectedly touched her breasts,
forcefully removed her panties, and sexually assaulted her, Hines reported.

(04:44):
Right after that, he restrained her and committed the act of rape.
Hines stated, the victim chose not to inform the police as she was concerned
about her family finding out, according to officials.
Credentials however on January 10th she disclosed the incident to Reverend Andrew,

(05:04):
Sitzuri the pastor of Saint Matthew's Church which is the sister church of Our
Lady Charity Charity I'm sorry at first the victim was very distressed he recalled
it took a long time for her to be able to speak about it.
When she mentioned Father, whatever his name is, Mr.

(05:28):
Yu, I was deeply saddened and I was upset, very upset.
Church officials confronted Mr. Yu on January 16th and he admitted to having
had sexual relations with the woman, but claimed and it was consensual, Hines stated.

(05:50):
Mr. Yu was expelled from the diocese on January 19th and pledged to return to
Nigeria after visiting family members in Florida, according to the DA.
However, in March, he resurfaced in Laredo, where he secured a position as a
hospital chaplain at Mercy Hospital Center, officials reported.

(06:15):
While employed at the hospital, Mr.
Yu resided at Christ the King Hospital and occasionally conducted mass there,
according to Laredo Bishop James Tamaya.
Officials confirmed that the priest left his position on August 16th to pursue

(06:36):
a master's degree in counseling at Texas A&M University.
Mr. Yu initially came to Brooklyn in the summer of 1998 at the invitation of
Gregory Hoshiga, his bishop in Horelu, Nigeria.

(06:56):
He returned the following summer and his intended brief stay was later extended to three years.
So the Brooklyn Diocese spokesman Frank DeRosa stated that Oshiba had provided
an affidavit attesting to Mr.

(07:19):
Yu's good character and repetition, like who gives a shit.
If you have set yourself in such a position, especially a holy position,
you're supposed to be extremely Christ-like and help these women,
help people that come to you for counseling.

(07:40):
You are actually so like you're here to get a degree in counseling.
You're just a piece of crap. You are just a piece of crap.
I need to follow up on the story for this man. And there was just a little bits
and pieces that I could get about him.
But truly, I hope he is in jail rotting to bits and pieces. Nobody gives a shit

(08:02):
what he got going on or his reputation.
So yes, this concludes today's crime mini, you guys.
I just wanted to tell you the story because I found it very interesting because
I've seen time and time and time again where people are in the church,
in the church, the number one place where you're supposed to go to feel safe, secure, find help.

(08:25):
And, you know, these are people that are representing God.
So for you to go there and be assaulted and this, I'm pretty sure this moment
in this lady's life changed because this is something that is very dramatic.
So yes, I just hate that. I really hate that. But thank you guys so much for tuning in.

(08:49):
Have a wonderful Thursday afternoon. I will post his name in the description for this audio.
So if you want to look him up, you can do so. Don't forget, if you are listening, do rate five stars.
True crime is not for you to live in fear, but for you to be aware.
Thank you guys so much once again. And I will see you Sunday for our full true crime episode.

(09:13):
Thank you so much. Have a good afternoon.
Music.