Catholic Church Suspends Father Mbaka Amidst Buhari Spar

The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Ejike Mbaka from
church activities for one month, According to The Gazette report^[1], as the
controversial priest’s political escapades continue to overshadow
his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending
concerns amongst his senior clerics.

Mr Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May
3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan
bishop. Mr Onaga called Mr Mbaka in following his repeated clashes
with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was
smearing the image of the church, the largest of any Christian
organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter
told The Gazette.

Mr Mbaka sparred with Mr Buhari’s aides in a series of verbal
fireworks that included the Nigerian presidency threatening to
blackmail the priest as a political jobber and public contract
racketeer. Mr Mbaka denied the allegations.

Still, Mr Onaga and other senior reverend fathers of the Enugu
Diocese were compelled to step in and mitigate the unfolding public
perception tumult that could have far-reaching consequences for the
conventional but unofficial church and state relationship.

The church leaders recognised that Mr Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry
as an independent congregation that does not fall directly under
the main church’s control, he could still be reined in as a priest
under the Roman Catholic’s certification, officials said.

Following his suspension, Mr 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.

Mr 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.
The Gazette did not publish the claim.

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. Mr Mbaka’s line was switched off when dialled by
The Gazette on Wednesday night.

Before falling out with Mr 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 Mr 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.

Mr Buhari’s controversial spokesman Garba Shehu subsequently
issued a statement, claiming Mr Mbaka’s comments were out of anger
for his unsuccessful attempts to corner lucrative federal
contracts. The priest denied the allegations but confirmed that he
recommended a group of security contractors to the president whose
proposals were not acted upon.

Church sources said Mr 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 said. “He had also been
transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent
infractions in the past.”

Still, church officials admitted Mr 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.

The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Ejike Mbaka from
church activities for one month, According to The Gazette report^[1], as the
controversial priest’s political escapades continue to overshadow
his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending
concerns amongst his senior clerics.

Mr Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May
3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan
bishop. Mr Onaga called Mr Mbaka in following his repeated clashes
with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was
smearing the image of the church, the largest of any Christian
organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter
told The Gazette.

Mr Mbaka sparred with Mr Buhari’s aides in a series of verbal
fireworks that included the Nigerian presidency threatening to
blackmail the priest as a political jobber and public contract
racketeer. Mr Mbaka denied the allegations.

Still, Mr Onaga and other senior reverend fathers of the Enugu
Diocese were compelled to step in and mitigate the unfolding public
perception tumult that could have far-reaching consequences for the
conventional but unofficial church and state relationship.

The church leaders recognised that Mr Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry
as an independent congregation that does not fall directly under
the main church’s control, he could still be reined in as a priest
under the Roman Catholic’s certification, officials said.

Following his suspension, Mr 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.

Mr 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.
The Gazette did not publish the claim.

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. Mr Mbaka’s line was switched off when dialled by
The Gazette on Wednesday night.

Before falling out with Mr 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 Mr 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.

Mr Buhari’s controversial spokesman Garba Shehu subsequently
issued a statement, claiming Mr Mbaka’s comments were out of anger
for his unsuccessful attempts to corner lucrative federal
contracts. The priest denied the allegations but confirmed that he
recommended a group of security contractors to the president whose
proposals were not acted upon.

Church sources said Mr 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 said. “He had also been
transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent
infractions in the past.”

Still, church officials admitted Mr 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.