CONTROVERSIAL Enugu clergyman Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has had al his bank accounts frozen by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in what political opponents are describing as a government crackdown. 

Late last year, Reverend Mbaka caused controversy when while speaking at a mass, he challenged the current government on its record, saying it had failed to deliver. Since then, he has been the subject of attacks from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and earlier this month, the priest said his life was being threatened. 

Reverend Mbaka who leads the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, had alleged during a sermon that President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience want to kill him. On Wednesday, Reverend Mbaka revealed that all his bank accounts have been frozen and he has been invited to the EFCC's office in Port Harcourt for questioning. 

According to one source who was present at Reverend Mbaka’s Wednesday adoration mass for the sick and needy, while giving his sermon, he narrated to his congregation how he went to withdraw money to buy food items for the poor masses that moved down from north because of the impending elections. However, to his surprise, his cheques were returned. 

When Reverend Mbaka enquired why he could not make any withdrawals, he was told the EFCC has directed his accounts to be frozen. Reverend Mbaka guessed the order to have frozen his accounts may have come directly from President Jonathan to cripple his activities ahead of this weekend's elections. 

He stated that he is not scared but to be cautious and not fall victim of assassination, he will not honour the invitation from the EFCC.  It is not yet clear if the EFCC will arrest the clergyman if he fails to show up at their offices. 

Reverend Mbaka said: “They have threatened to arrest me at the cathedraticum which will take place at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu. I won’t fail to be there on Friday.” 

Already Catholic priests in the Enugu Diocese have met with Reverend Mbaka to investigate his claims that President Jonathan and his wife want him dead. So far though, the church is yet to come up with an official statement.