Shocking Allegations Shake Catholic Diocese of Aba: Priest Accuses Bishop, Colleagues of Immorality and Cover-Ups

A major scandal has erupted within the Catholic Diocese of Aba as Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu publicly accused Bishop Augustine Echema and several priests of serious moral misconduct and cover-ups—allegations that have since gone viral and sparked widespread outrage among the Catholic faithful.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Fr. Anyanwu alleged that he became a target for persecution within the diocese after exposing what he described as irregularities surrounding the history and leadership of his home parish, St. Benedict’s Parish. The post, however, had already been screenshotted and widely circulated on social media before it was removed.

“Because I boldly narrated the true history of my home parish and exposed irregularities, I became a target of tricks and gossip,” Fr. Anyanwu wrote.

But what began as a parish dispute quickly snowballed into a barrage of explosive accusations against fellow clergy members, complete with names and damning claims

Named Priests and Allegations:

• Fr. Kelechi Anyanwu: Accused of being a “sex maniac” with multiple police cases allegedly linked to sexual misconduct.
• Fr. Paul Nwaokeleme: Accused of pedophilia and favoritism.
• Fr. Felix Onyeugba: Allegedly known for sexual assault and luring women under false pretenses.
• Fr. Innocent Ezewoko: Accused of sodomy and abusing young boys.

Fr. Anyanwu claimed that Bishop Echema was fully aware of these issues but chose to ignore them, allegedly due to loyalty to certain cliques within the diocesan leadership. He implied that he was being punished for challenging the status quo, while others with more severe allegations were being shielded.

Quoting from Scripture and referencing Labour Party leader Peter Obi, he said,

“Before you accuse anyone, make sure you and those around you are pure.”

The allegations have lit up social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where hashtags like #AbaCatholicScandal and #ClericalAccountability are trending. Many users have called for a swift and independent investigation.

“These allegations are too serious to ignore. The Church must investigate and act swiftly,” one user wrote.

“If these claims are true, it’s a betrayal of trust. The silence is deafening,” another posted.

So far, neither Bishop Echema nor the Catholic Diocese of Aba has released any official statement, a silence that critics say is only fueling suspicion and disillusionment among members of the Church.

This is arguably the most damaging scandal to hit the Aba Diocese in recent years. The Catholic community in Abia and beyond is now calling for transparency, accountability, and the protection of victims, if any.

Some parishioners have also expressed fears that the scandal, if not properly addressed, could further erode trust in church leadership at a time when religious institutions are under growing scrutiny worldwide.

Whether the Church will respond publicly—or attempt to handle the matter behind closed doors—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the eyes of the faithful are watching closely.