The Catholic Diocese of Enugu
has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month
as the controversial priest's political escapades continue to overshadow his
theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending concerns amongst his
senior clerics.
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 The
Gazette.
SaharaReporters had reported
last Wednesday Mbaka's criticism of the Muhammadu Buhari regime over its
inaction on the widespread killings across the nation.
Speaking at the Adoration
Ministry in Enugu, 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.
He said Buhari had failed
Nigeria woefully and that he should resign now. Mbaka also called for the
President's impeachment.
Following his suspension, Mbaka
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.
Mbaka's followers claimed
without evidence that he was kidnapped by Mr Onaga and handed over to the State
Security Service. They subsequently marched on the premises of the bishop on
Wednesday morning, looting and destroying assets therein.
The mob also descended on the
Holy Ghost Cathedral, again looting and destroying items in the building. The
members also went to town to allege that the SSS had arrested Mr Mbaka —
generating widespread media reports despite lacking requisite
corroboration.
A spokesman for the SSS denied
taking Mr Mbaka into custody or coming in any contacts with him when reached by
The Gazette, contrary to his followers' rumours.
A spokesman for the diocese did
not immediately return a request seeking comments. Mbaka's line was switched
off when dialled by The Gazette on Wednesday night.
Before falling out with Buhari
recently, Mr Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his
campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success.
But as Buhari's regime failed to
tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Mr 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.
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.
"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," a church official told
TheGazette. "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 Mr 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 Mr Mbaka has long railed against.
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