Abuja, 05 August, 2026 / 11:40 pm (ACI Africa). The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended John Cardinal Onaiyekan against claims that he breached trust by speaking publicly about a private meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), insisting that the Archbishop emeritus of Abuja was fulfilling the Church's prophetic mission. In a statement issued on August 3, the CLCN rejected the Presidency's allegation of a "breach of trust," saying Cardinal Onaiyekan was exercising the Church's responsibility to raise moral concerns about issues affecting Nigerians. CLCN members said the Church has a responsibility rooted in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching to “speak truth to power,” defend vulnerable people and hold leaders accountable “with truth and charity.” They insisted that such engagement does not constitute an abuse of privilege.