Ejike Mbaka, Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Nigeria, has pleaded with his fellow Catholic priests not to criticise him for praying for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, who is now under house arrest in the country.
On numerous occasions, Mbaka had pleaded with the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu, and he had also warned that nothing should be done to imprison the separatist leader.
Mbaka stated in his New Year's message delivered during the Crossover night service at the Adoration Ground, Emene, that "he is not closing any priest's mouth, and no priest should close his."
He added;
“I’m begging my fellow priests to stop condemning me for praying for Nnamdi Kanu. I am not closing any priest’s mouth and nobody should close my own. If I use my mouth to bless Nnamdi Kanu and you don’t like it, please use your own mouth to curse him. Leave me to bless him.
“I see Nnamdi Kanu as my son. Every Igbo man and woman is my child. You may not understand the spiritual authority I have on this land.
“If as a church, we can be praying for Nigeria in distress, nobody can stop us from praying for Nnamdi Kanu and our brothers in distress.
“This year will be for Kanu and those held for agitations. God will show them mercy this year.”