The crisis in the Anglican Church of Nigeria has deepened, as the Diocesan Board of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, has threatened to withdraw from the Church of Nigeria if the directive by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, ordering Archbishop Alexander C. Ibezim to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave is not rescinded.
The board rejected the directive, warning that it would withdraw from the Church of Nigeria if what it described as continued interference in the affairs of the diocese persisted.
The board also rejected the appointment of the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel C. Ezeofor, as the supervising bishop of Awka Diocese and coordinating bishop of the Province of the Niger.
The decisions were contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the Diocesan Board held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Chapel of Divine Favour, Anglican Village, Ifite-Awka, and made available to the press.
The communiqué, signed by the Lord Chancellor of the diocese, Sir B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN; the Synod Secretary, Ven. K.E.N. Chukwukamma, PhD; and the Lay Synod Secretary, Mr. Eugene Chukwudi Okonkwo, stated that the board rejected in its entirety the Primate’s letter dated October 13, 2026.
The board argued that the directive and the appointment of Ezeofor disregarded pending court cases involving Archbishop Ibezim, the Primate and other parties.
It cited three suits pending before the Anambra State High Court: Suit No. A/Misc. 446/2025, involving Ibezim and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Suit No. A/Misc.Buy Maps
494/2026, involving Ibezim, the Inspector-General of Police and others; and Suit No. A/371/2026, involving Ibezim, Ndukuba and another party.
According to the board, the cases concern allegations against Ibezim that remain before the court. It maintained that all parties should refrain from taking actions capable of interfering with the proceedings pending the determination of the cases.
The board further alleged that existing injunctions and pending applications for injunctions rendered the Primate’s directive inappropriate.
It warned that any action capable of pre-empting the court’s decisions could amount to contempt of court.
It also argued that neither the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 nor the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka 2023 empowered the Primate to compel Ibezim to proceed on leave or appoint another bishop to assume his responsibilities.
The communiqué specifically challenged the Primate’s reliance on Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria, arguing that the provision did not authorise the compulsory leave directive or the appointment of a supervising bishop under the circumstances.
The board further contended that the directive violated the constitutional presumption of innocence and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, citing Sections 36(5) and 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.
On the proposed inquiry into the affairs of Awka Diocese, the board questioned the justification for placing Ibezim on compulsory leave, alleging that the Primate had previously constituted two panels to investigate allegations against the archbishop.
It identified the panels as the one headed by Justice Babashola Ogunade, constituted in August 2025, and another headed by Archbishop Blessing Enyindah, constituted in June 2026.
The board alleged that the reports of the two panels had been withheld, arguing that the Church’s Constitution and Canons required their findings and recommendations to be submitted to the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities for consideration.
Reaffirming its support for Ibezim, the board declared that he remained the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese and should continue to discharge the responsibilities of both offices.
It also expressed confidence in his integrity, competence and commitment to the diocese, insisting that Awka Diocese remained peaceful, united and progressive.
The board further maintained that no diocesan funds had been missing, stolen, misused or misappropriated by Ibezim. It added that, according to its account, neither of the two panels had indicted him for financial misconduct.
Commending the archbishop for what it described as infrastructural development in the diocese, the board urged him to continue his work without distraction.
It also warned Ezeofor against interfering in the affairs of Awka Diocese, urging him to concentrate on his responsibilities as Bishop of Aguata Diocese.
The board threatened to invoke the law and involve law enforcement agencies if its warning was ignored.
