Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month following the controversial priest’s row with the presidency.
Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan bishop.
Onaga called Mbaka in following his repeated clashes with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was smearing the church’s image, the largest of any Christian organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter told TheGazette.
It would be recalled that Mbaka has been in the news over his criticism of Buhari’s administration over its inaction on the widespread killings across the nation, calling for his resignation or impeachment.
Speaking at Adoration Ministry in Enugu state last week, Mbaka said it is wrong for Buhari to maintain grave silence despite the incessant killings in the country.
He accused the government of being behind several killings across the country and tagging separatists groups as terrorists rather than focus on getting them good jobs.
The cleric also frowned on the activities of herders that destroy the farmland of people without any repercussion.
Read Also: Mbaka Once Requested For Contracts As Compensation For Supporting Buhari – Garba Shehu
Following this row, the clergy Man’s whereabouts caused confusion in the State after Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) raised the alarm that the priest was missing.
The group threatened the Federal Government, giving them 48 hours to ‘produce’ the priest.
Read Also: Ohanaeze Claims Father Mbaka Is Missing, Gives FG 48 Hours To Produce Him
The alarm sparked protest in the coal city with many followers of the priest storming Onaga’s office.
However, few hours later the priest returned to his ministry that lies north of the outskirts of Enugu city centre, where he subsequently incited his members against the bishop, sources said.
While addressing his superiors upon his return, Mbaka said the diocese has been trying to shut him up; and that he was released because of the protests.
How can they believe what others say, and they will not believe what the priest is saying?The emphasis is ‘please, let me go to celebrate the mass’, but they said ‘no’. If a priest will request to celebrate mass and they say ‘no’, that means something is wrong.
He also said the church wanted him to leave his ministry for one month, a request he baulked at.
Mbaka’s followers claimed without evidence that he was kidnapped by Mr Onaga and handed over to State Security Service. They subsequently marched on the premises of the bishop on Wednesday morning, looting and destroying assets therein.
Read Also: Protest Hits Enugu Over Father Mbaka’s Alleged Disappearance (Videos)
The mob also descended on Holy Ghost Cathedral, again looting and destroying items in the building. The members also went to town to allege that SSS arrested Mbaka, which a spokesman for the service denied.
Before falling out with Buhari recently, Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success.
However, as Buhari’s regime failed to tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Mbaka said he was compelled to speak up and distance himself from his regime, describing it as evil and satanic and calling on the President himself to vacate office.
Read Also: Just In: Enugu Residents Jubilate As Mbaka Reappears (Video)
Church sources said Mbaka’s latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone, but not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.
A church official told the publication;
We know people will link this to his confrontation with Buhari, but he was once demoted from a parish priest to a deputy under a parish priest. He had also been transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent infractions in the past.
Still, church officials admitted Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry has been a cash cow for the Enugu Diocese, even though it was built by Mbaka and not directly under its control.
“The real problem is the Diocese has been financially dependent on Mbaka, collecting his millions,” a source said, adding that some of the senior clerics themselves have also been in bed with politicians whom Mbaka has long railed against.
