ABA, Nigeria — The Catholic Diocese of Aba has been thrown into a major crisis following explosive allegations of sexual misconduct, corruption, and abuse leveled against its leadership by a suspended priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu.
The controversy erupted after Fr. Anyanwu published a now-deleted Facebook post in which he directly accused the diocesan bishop, Most Rev. Augustine Echema, of shielding priests allegedly involved in serious moral and criminal offenses while using the Church’s authority to silence dissent. Although the original post has been taken down, screenshots continue to circulate widely on social media, fueling outrage, debate, and calls for a thorough investigation.
In his post, Fr. Anyanwu alleged that his fallout with the bishop stemmed from a dispute concerning the signpost of St. Benedict’s Parish—his home parish. He claimed that after he publicly addressed irregularities in the parish’s history and administration, the bishop orchestrated a campaign to discredit him. “You began gathering people against me to accuse me falsely,” he wrote. “Because I boldly narrated the true history of my home parish and exposed irregularities, I became a target of tricks and gossip.”
The priest went on to name several clergy members in the diocese, leveling severe allegations of sexual abuse, exploitation, and moral misconduct. Among those named were:
Fr. Kelechi Anyanwu, described as a “sex maniac” allegedly involved in multiple police cases;
Fr. Paul Nwaokeleme, accused of pedophilia and fostering division through favoritism;
Fr. Felix Onyeugba, parish priest of Ohuhu Nsulu, accused of sexually exploiting women and failing to pay for goods ordered from female traders, instead allegedly luring them into sexual encounters;
Fr. Innocent Ezewoko, accused of sodomy and targeting young boys.
Fr. Anyanwu insisted that Bishop Echema was aware of these allegations but failed to act due to personal and political loyalty within the diocesan hierarchy. In a scathing rebuke, he wrote: “Tell those your beloved priests and cabinet members who are into G-golo to repent.” He further warned, “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,” referencing a quote by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In response to the controversy, Bishop Echema has reportedly suspended Fr. Anyanwu from priestly duties. A copy of the suspension letter, dated July 2025, has been circulating online, adding a new layer to the unfolding drama.
The priest’s allegations have sparked widespread condemnation and alarm among members of the Catholic faithful, both in Aba and across Nigeria. On social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from outrage to heartbreak, with many demanding immediate action from Church authorities. One commenter wrote, “These allegations are too serious to ignore. The Church must investigate and act swiftly.” Another lamented, “If this is true, it’s not just a scandal—it’s a betrayal of everything the Church stands for.”
As of the time of this report, the Catholic Diocese of Aba has not issued any formal statement addressing the allegations or the suspension. The silence has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns mounting over the Church’s willingness to ensure transparency and accountability.
This scandal marks one of the most significant reputational crises for the Diocese in recent memory. Observers say how the Church responds in the coming days could determine the extent of the damage to its credibility and moral authority in the region.
