The New Apostolic Church Nigeria has suspended one of its priests, Saturday Ntete, over alleged possession of a suspected harmful traditional charm.
The suspension follows a humiliating incident involving the cleric last week in Nonwa District, Rivers State, where he was reportedly caught attempting to bury charms in a community.
The church announced the disciplinary action in an official communiqué issued on October 24, 2026, under the leadership of Apostle E. S. Udor, Apostle in Charge of the South-West Working Area.
According to the statement signed by District Rector Monday Legbara, the matter was brought to the attention of the church authority through the office of District Rector Monday Legbara, who oversees the Nonwa District.
The leadership said the allegation was considered serious enough to warrant immediate administrative action in line with the church’s commitment to spiritual discipline, responsible leadership and preservation of its doctrine.
“The leadership of the New Apostolic Church Nigeria, South-West Working Area, under the spiritual leadership of Apostle E. S. Udor, wishes to formally inform members of the Church and the general public of the suspension of Priest Saturday Ntete following a reported incident involving the alleged possession of a suspected harmful traditional charm,” the communiqué read.
“Following the report, the matter was considered sufficiently serious to warrant immediate administrative attention in accordance with the Church’s commitment to spiritual discipline, responsible leadership, transparency, and the preservation of its doctrine and institutional integrity.
“Consequently, Priest Saturday Ntete has been placed on suspension pending the appropriate investigation and determination of the matter by the relevant Church authorities,” it added.
Priest Ntete had earlier been suspended as Chief of Bue-Borobara unit by the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Nonwa community following the same incident.
