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A Nigerian Catholic priest has sued his church for accusing him of impregnating a woman.

Published

6 years ago

July 2, 2019

The priest, Fr. Charles Oyebade, filed the case since in 2018 at Ekpoma High court, Edo State, South-South Nigeria, after the church suspended him indefinitely over an alleged sexual affair with a woman named Cynthia Nnaji.

The Catholic Church tried to stop the court from hearing the case, saying the priest did not exhaust the internal mechanisms of resolving disputes within the church before heading to the court.

But the judge, J. O. Okeaya-Inneh, on April 16 this year, ruled that the case should go on.

Catholic priests voluntarily submit themselves to an oath of celibacy which forbids them from sex.

The embattled priest, Oyebade, belongs to the Order of Discalced Carmelite, a sect which has chosen a secluded life, devoted to prayers, within the Catholic Church. He was ordained priest in November 2014.

denied being responsible for Ms Nnaji’s pregnancy nor ever having sex with her.

He is in court to challenge his suspension by the Order of Discalced Carmelite.

Apart from Ms Nnaji, the other defendants in the case are the Order of Discalced Carmelite, and a priest, Canice-Mary Azuoma, who is a regional vicar of the Order in Nigeria.

Ms Nnaji in 2017 reported to the Catholic Church that she was pregnant for the reverend father, according to a court paper.

But the priest told the court, through his lawyer, that the church hastily suspended him without giving him a fair hearing, and without conducting a pregnancy and paternity test as demanded by him.

The priest told the court that the vicar, Mr Azuoma, gave Ms Nnaji N450,000 immediately she came up with the allegation against him (Mr Oyebade), therefore making the case appear as a “set-up.”

He further told the court that Ms Nnaji sent text messages to him, confessing that she lied that she was pregnant.

Justice Okeaya-Inneh, while dismissing the preliminary objection by the Order of Discalced Carmelite, said the Nigerian constitution which guarantees Mr Oyebade rights to seek redress hold sway when it clashes with the constitution and norms of the Order and the Codes of Canon law.

The paper on Monday, said it contacted the Order of Discalced Carmelite in Nigeria for their comment on the matter.

One Israel Ani, who picked the call, introduced himself as a secretary to the vicar, Mr Azuoma, but declined comment on the matter.

He also refused to give the vicar’s contact phone number as requested by the reporter.

Premium Times.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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