Contrary to claims by the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, that he was held incommunicado by the Catholic authorities earlier in the week, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu has denied neither detaining him (Father Mbaka) nor keeping him incommunicado.

The Church also denied news making waves in the media on the suspension of Mbaka for 30 days.

The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, made the clarification in an interaction with CEOAFRICA, Friday.

According to him, “Fr. Mbaka has not been suspended and is still in charge of the Adoration Ministry.

“He was never held incommunicado at any time and would not be held as such since no situation has called for it.”

But, the fiery priest had while speaking to the congregants upon returning from his sudden disappearance for two days on Wednesday said the church leadership, led by Bishop Calistus Onaga summoned him over his recent comments concerning Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), and his connection to the presidency.

Mbaka claimed then that the church leadership told him he would remain indoors for a period of one month to enable him pray and meditate over his activities.  He further claimed that even though he refused to the demand, he was released because of the protest over his whereabout.

Informed sources who understand the operations of the Catholic Church said the authority of the church might be the one saying the truth as the Catholic Church is an orderly and organized church establishment that cannot just suspend a Priest just like that, without necessary administrative processes.

He also dismissed the insinuations that the Adoration Ministry where Mbaka pastors would be close, noting that the Catholic Church he knows, does not work that way.