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The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month for meddling in political issues, especially with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to reports, Mbaka was asked to go on a suspension effective May 3, 2021, after being summoned by his Gracious Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan bishop.
It would be recalled that Mbaka had asked Buhari to resign or be impeached over his inability to tackle growing insecurity in the country, a development that sparked controversy between him and the presidency.
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The Catholic Diocese of Enugu, under the leader of Callistus V. Onaga, has scheduled May 7 to May 21, 2021, as a prayer week for ‘atonement and reparation’.
This development is coming 24 hours after angry youths, said to members of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), stormed the residence of the Enugu Catholic Bishop, protesting the whereabouts of Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual leader of AMEN.
Mbaka’s followers had declared him missing on Wednesday, triggering a protest on the streets of Enugu.
They marched from the Adoration ground in Emene, Enugu, to the Bishop’s Court at Igboeze Street, Independence Layout Enugu where they destroyed some parts of the building. They also destroyed church facilities at the Holy Ghost Cathedral.
Protesters at the Bishop’s independence Layout residence in Enugu on Wednesday
The secret plot by the leadership of the Catholic Church in Enugu Diocese to tame the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Fr. Ejike Mbaka appears to have failed as his followers vehemently rejected the move which, they believe, was orchestrated by some powerful forces within and outside the government who are not comfortable with his recent attack on the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Mbaka, who disappeared on Tuesday reappeared following protests by different groups of supporters and parishioners in Enugu on Wednesday, revealed that the leadership of the Catholic Church was responsible for his ordeal.
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Some residents in Enugu state had taken to the streets to protest over his whereabouts amid reports that the Catholic priest was missing.
He had been scheduled to attend his usual Wednesday morning prayer programme, but did not show up.
Many of those who had visited the prayer ground had taken to the streets, demanding to know where he is.
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They were seen with leaves and tree branches as they chanted solidarity songs along some major roads.
TheCable could not immediately reach him as his phone numbers were not available.
Mbaka has been in the news lately over a controversy involving him and the presidency.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Fr Ejike Mbaka
• Fr Mbaka is ‘unbribable , even if they come and build the highest university here, that cannot bribe me the cleric declares
The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has reacted to the accusation by the Presidency that he fell out with President Muhammadu Buhari because of the refusal of the President to award contracts to three of his favoured contractors.
Mbaka reacted to the development on Sunday at the AMEN ground in Enugu.
This followed a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, which said Mbaka’s call last week for the resignation or impeachment of Buhari was because he was denied contracts.