Aba Catholic Diocese Rocked by Scandal as Priest Levels Grave Allegations Against Bishop, Clergy
....... Bishop suspends Fr. Anyanwu. See suspension documents below 👇🏾 👇🏾
The Catholic Diocese of Aba is embroiled in a major controversy following a now-deleted Facebook post by Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu, who leveled serious accusations of immorality and misconduct against Bishop Augustine Echema and several priests within the diocese. The viral post, which has continued to circulate through screenshots, has sparked widespread outrage and debate within the Catholic community, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the Church.
In the explosive post, Fr. Anyanwu accused Bishop Echema of shielding priests involved in grave moral offenses while unfairly targeting him for exposing irregularities. The controversy reportedly began over a dispute concerning the signpost of St. Benedict’s Parish, Fr. Anyanwu’s home parish. He claimed the bishop orchestrated efforts to discredit him after he revealed behind-the-scenes issues. “You began gathering people against me to accuse me falsely,” Fr. Anyanwu wrote, addressing Bishop Echema. “Because I boldly narrated the true history of my home parish and exposed irregularities, I became a target of tricks and gossip.”
Fr. Anyanwu went further, naming specific priests and alleging serious misconduct. He described Fr. Kelechi Anyanwu as a “sex maniac” with multiple police cases and accused Fr. Paul Nwaokeleme of pedophilia and fostering division through favoritism. Fr. Felix Onyeugba, parish priest of Ohuhu Nsulu, faced allegations of sexual assault, financial exploitation, and manipulating women, with Fr. Anyanwu claiming, “He buys goods from women and refuses to pay, instead luring them to his bed.” Similarly, Fr. Innocent Ezewoko was accused of sodomy, with claims that he is known for “destroying young boys in a sodomic way.”
The priest alleged that Bishop Echema was aware of these behaviors but failed to act due to personal loyalties. In a pointed rebuke, he urged, “Tell those your beloved priests and cabinet members who are into G-golo to repent,” invoking the biblical admonition to “first remove the plank in your eye before you seek the splinter in others.” He also quoted Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying, “Before you accuse anyone or get involved in cases of immorality, make sure that you are innocent and that those around you are pure also.”
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the Catholic community in Aba and beyond, with screenshots of the deleted post circulating widely on social media platforms like X. Users have expressed a mix of shock, anger, and calls for accountability, with one post stating, “These allegations are too serious to ignore. The Church must investigate and act swiftly.” Another user remarked, “If true, this is a betrayal of trust. The faithful deserve answers.”
As of press time, neither Bishop Echema nor the Catholic Diocese of Aba has issued an official response to the allegations. The silence has fueled further speculation and intensified demands for a transparent investigation into the claims. The scandal marks one of the most significant public crises to hit the diocese in recent years, threatening to erode trust among the faithful as the Church navigates this turbulent period.
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