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The Diocese of Awka, the Anglican Communion, has rejected the suspension of its bishop, Reverend Alexander Ibezim, from official duties for six months, warning that the bishop may withdraw from the Church of Nigeria if the decision and appointment of his successor is not reversed.
This attitude was stated in a communiqué issued by the Diocesan Council after an emergency meeting held on Friday, 16 October 2026, at the Chapel of Divine Favor, Anglican Village, Ifite-Awka.
The communiqué, released to journalists on Sunday, was signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Sir BEI Nwofor, SAN; Secretary of the Synod, the Hon. KEN Chukwukamma; and Secretary of the Lay Synod, Mr Eugene Okonkwo.
The dispute follows a directive issued by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who ordered Ibezim, who is also Archbishop of Niger Province, to immediately take mandatory leave for six months.
Ndukuba reportedly took the decision after conducting an investigation into allegations of “misuse and misappropriation of funds, crisis and recent developments” in Awka Diocese.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate also appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of Niger Province during Ibezim’s absence.
However, the Awka Diocesan Council rejected both decisions, arguing that the directives were unjustified and that the appointments were made while the relevant legal proceedings were still pending before the Anambra State High Court.
In its communiqué, the council stated that the Primate’s directive should not stand, especially in light of three court cases involving Ibezim, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Inspector General of Police, Ndukuba and other parties.
The cases cited are Lawsuit No. A/Other. 446/2025, involving Ibezim and EFCC; Setting No. A/Other. 494/2026, involving Ibezim, Inspector General of Police and others; and Lawsuit Number A/371/2026 involving Ibezim, Ndukuba and other parties.
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The communique read in part, “At the emergency meeting of the Diocesan Council of Awka Diocese (Anglican Communion) on 16 October 2026, the following resolutions and decisions were reached after in-depth consideration of the letter dated 13 October 2026 by His Eminence, His Eminence Henry C. Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria:
“The Council categorically rejects the letter in its entirety.More specifically, the Council rejects the directive to His Eminence, His Eminence Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop, Niger Province and Bishop, Awka Diocese, to continue on mandatory leave of six months.
“The Council rejects the appointment of His Eminence Reverend Samuel Ezeofor as Proctor Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of Niger Province for the following reasons:
“The appointment was made in disregard of the pending litigation in Suit No. A/Misc 446/2025: His Excellency Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed on September 4, 2025; Suit No. and Suit No. A/371/2026 – Honorable Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Honorable Henry Ndukuba and Anor, filed on October 13, 2026.”
The Board believes that pending cases require all parties to avoid actions that could interfere with resolving matters in court.
It stated that “this suit is still pending before the High Court of Anambra State and the subject of this suit are the various allegations made against His Eminence, His Eminence Alexander Ibezim, His Eminence, His Eminence Henry Ndukuba, the Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of All Nigeria, His Eminence the Rt. Reverend Samuel Ezeofor and many members of the Church of Nigeria are fully aware of the pendency of these cases in court and are legally obliged not to interfere in the matter until the matter is decided by the court.
The Diocese also questioned the legal basis for mandatory leave, challenging the Primate’s reliance on Article 29(1) of the 2020 Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
According to the council, the provisions do not give the Primate authority to force another bishop or archbishop to take leave, transfer his responsibilities to another bishop or prohibit him from participating in church activities.
The communiqué stated: “Article 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 quoted by the Primate in his letter of 13 October 2026 is inapplicable as it contains nothing that authorizes the Primate to compel fellow Bishops and Archbishops to go on mandatory leave and hand over their duties to other Bishops and prevents the Bishop from presiding over any activities in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), of the Province of Niger and Dioceses Awka.
“The cruel, oppressive, vindictive and grossly unjust decision made by the Primate against Archbishop Ibezim violates article 36 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which considers anyone accused or charged with committing a criminal offense to be innocent until proven guilty.
“Also, by barring him from presiding over any activities in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), in Niger Province and Awka Diocese, the Primate violated article 38 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which gives Archbishop Ibezim the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to propagate his religion in worship, teaching, practice and observance,” among others.
The board’s position depends on its interpretation of the provisions governing the church and the constitutional protections it cites. The allegations and legal questions surrounding this dispute remain an issue that must be addressed by judicial and church authorities.
The disagreements have escalated beyond resistance to disciplinary action, with Awka Diocese threatening to sever its ties with the Church of Nigeria if the Primate and Ezeofor continue to engage in what they consider interference in its affairs.
The council said they were prepared to make alternative ecclesiastical arrangements if their objections were not addressed.
“The Council categorically states that if the Primate and Bishop Ezeofor continue to threaten the peace of Awka Diocese and its Archbishop and bishops, and unlawfully interfere in its affairs, then they will withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and continue with the Church of England, which has never interfered with the Diocese,” the statement concluded.
