By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.

The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has dismissed criticism from Sir James -Louis Okoye (Ebube Anaedo), who renounced his membership of catholic church during the Cathedral Church dedication and protested that the church ignored the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to the cathedral.

The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the dedication of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Rev. Father Hygi Aghaulor, gave the other side of the story at a press conference on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at St Michael Catholic Church, Ozubulu.

He said what Okoye said was a total lie, adding that the church appreciated late Ubah and was still happy with him.

He disclosed that the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi composed a prayer for months, which was called a Daily Prayer, in view of the Dedication of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi.

The prayer reads, “Our help in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Father in Heaven, unless you build, in vain do builders labour. We acknowledge your nearness to us in all these years we understood to build the cathedral, a befitting place of worship in Nnewi Diocese. Your protection has allowed no fatalities at the site in spite of all our weaknesses. Now, as constructions are nearing completion, we renew our trust in you. Please, reward our benefactors, and rest them who have passed on. May you continue to protect our workers and us. We invoke your blessings upon all who would participate in the solemn occasion and journey- mercies on all who will travel for the dedication. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Our Lady of Assumption pray for us.
St.Patrick, pray for us.
Blessed Iwene Tansi, pray for us”.

He noted that the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye, during the inauguration, appreciated the people who contributed hugely to the completion of the Cathedral, disclosing that the late Senator Ubah was pointedly mentioned.

“On page 10 of the brochure, it was categorically stated that the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah offered his assistance to the then Bishop, Most Rev. Odili Okeke, to ensure the completion of the Cathedral.

“Late Ubah remained a major benefactor before his unfortunate demise. He was copiously mentioned in the brochure” he reaffirmed.

He further disclosed that late Ubah contributed about 75-80% of the money that went into the building.

“Nothing can be enough except what God has done. People who are giving are giving to God, not the church or an individual. The work of God will continue; we pray for our benefactors who have passed on to continue resting in the Lord. The best gift for the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is prayer. Structure can be brought down, but the church doesn’t joke with documents, which, if Ieanyi Ubah happened to be immortalised in our brochure and in the hearts of the entire 147 parishes in Nnewi Diocese,” he said.

For SirJames Okoye, Rev. Aghaulor said he committed the sin of apostasy, which he said is a public and total rejection of the Christian faith, which is received in baptism.

He said according to Canon Law, Canon 194, paragraph 1, no. 2, and then Canon 751, which said,” if somebody committed Apostasy, that is sufficient to make one lose one’s office or title in the Catholic Church, revealing that if he dies in the situation without remorse, the church would not bury him.