Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has approached the Anambra State High Court to challenge the procedures adopted by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in investigating allegations involving him and the diocese.
The legal action comes after the Primate of the Church, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, directed Ibezim to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave to allow investigations into developments within the diocese.
In the suit, marked A/371/2026, filed at the Awka Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court on October 13, Ibezim is seeking an interpretation of the church’s 2020 Constitution and Canons, particularly provisions governing disciplinary proceedings against serving bishops.
The Primate and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, who also chairs the visitation team established to investigate the matter, are named as defendants.
Ibezim is asking the court to declare that the procedures prescribed by the church’s governing documents must be strictly followed before disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from office, can be taken against a serving bishop.
One of the reliefs sought reads, “A declaration that the laid down procedure for disciplining a serving Bishop of a Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) are spelt out in sections 55, 75(1)(2)(3)(4)(5), 76(1)(2)(3)(4)(5) and Canon XVI sections 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 2020.”
The archbishop is also seeking a declaration that at least one of the offences listed under Canon XVI must be proved before disciplinary sanctions can be imposed on him.
Another relief sought by Ibezim challenges the constitution of the visitation team through a letter issued by the Primate on June 17, 2026. The suit describes the team as having been “illegally constituted”. This remains the plaintiff’s allegation and has not been established by a court.
In a separate letter dated October 13, Ndukuba directed Ibezim to begin the six-month leave immediately, following reports from administrative panels investigating developments in Awka Diocese, including a visitation team led by the Dean of the Church.
The Primate said he met with Ibezim on October 9 to consider the visitation report and explained that the leave was intended to facilitate a thorough investigation, restore peace and promote reconciliation within the diocese.
Ndukuba maintained that the directive was an administrative measure rather than a disciplinary sanction, citing Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Church of Nigeria’s Constitution and Canons, 2020.
During Ibezim’s absence, the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, has been appointed Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
The directive requires Ibezim to hand over immediately and refrain from officiating at activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger and Awka Diocese throughout the leave period, which is subject to review.
Ibezim instituted the legal action through his lead counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN. The court is being asked to determine the interpretation and application of the church’s constitutional and canonical provisions governing investigations and disciplinary proceedings against serving bishops.
