The Catholic Diocese of Aba has been thrust into controversy following a now-deleted social media post by Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu, in which he accused Bishop Augustine Echema and several priests of grave ethical violations and moral misconduct. Despite its removal, screenshots of the post continue to spread across social media, sparking intense discussions and concern within the Catholic community.
Fr. Anyanwu’s statement alleged that he became a target of internal attacks after raising concerns over irregularities connected to St. Benedict’s Parish—his home parish. He claimed Bishop Echema launched efforts to malign him for exposing the truth behind internal affairs. “You rallied people to fabricate accusations against me,” the priest wrote, charging that his public disclosure of facts about the parish’s history led to retaliation.
In the lengthy post, the priest made direct allegations against multiple members of the clergy. He described Fr. Kelechi Anyanwu as having a history of immoral behavior and run-ins with law enforcement, while Fr. Paul Nwaokeleme was accused of inappropriate conduct involving minors and divisive favoritism. Fr. Felix Onyeugba, who leads Ohuhu Nsulu Parish, was alleged to be involved in sexual exploitation and financial abuse, with claims that he deceived female parishioners under false pretenses. Fr. Innocent Ezewoko was accused of sexually abusing boys.
Fr. Anyanwu claimed that Bishop Echema had knowledge of these alleged actions but failed to intervene, citing personal loyalty as the reason for inaction. In a strong appeal, he urged the bishop to address the faults of those close to him before judging others, quoting biblical teachings and referencing public figures like Peter Obi to reinforce his point.
The explosive allegations have ignited a storm of reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users have called for thorough investigations and accountability. “The Church owes its members clarity and action,” one user commented. Another wrote, “This could shake the foundation of trust if not addressed seriously.”
So far, the Diocese of Aba and Bishop Echema have not issued any public statements regarding the claims. Their silence has only deepened speculation and calls for a transparent inquiry. The episode is quickly becoming one of the most significant crises in the recent history of the Aba Diocese, with the potential to affect the credibility and unity of the Catholic faithful in the region.
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