Controversial clergyman Father Mbaka posted to live a secluded life in a monastery

CONTROVERSIAL Catholics clergyman Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has been transferred out from the Adoration Ministry in Enugu and sent to a monastery with immediate effect in what his supporters say is an attempt to silence him.

In June last year, Reverend Father Mbaka disappeared for 24 hours because he was detained by the Enugu Catholic bishop Most Reverend  Callistus Onaga for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari. Reverend Mbaka, the spiritual director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign because God is angry with him over the widespread killing of innocent people across Nigeria.

Since then, the fiery clergyman has constantly been in the news and earlier this year for regularly calling the government out. Earlier this year, his ministry was shut down for three months and was only re-opened yesterday.

However, the Catholic Church has opted not to leave Reverend Father Mbaka in charge as another clergyman of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Reverend Father Anthony Amadi has been posted to take charge of the Adoration Ministry. One  top member of the ministry, however, said the development was unfortunate.

He added:  “All along, the bishop has been trying to take over the Adoration Ministry but I can assure you that no priest will succeed there. So long as Father Mbaka is not there, nobody will come there to worship.

“This will lead to anarchy as it’s unthinkable that this kind of harsh decision could be made. We the adorers will never accept any other priest. Father Mbaka suffered and built that place will sole effort but now they have tactically hijacked the place through the backyard. Let’s see how they will succeed.”

Father Mbaka’s latest troubles started three months ago after he preached against Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi. He had criticised Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor for being miserly and not generous enough with money.