Awka Diocese Rejects Compulsory Leave Order Against Archbishop Ibezim, Threatens Exit from Church of Nigeria.
Diocesan Board declares Primate Ndukuba’s directive on Archbishop Ibezim illegal and vows to return to Church of England if crisis continues.
AWKA, NIGERIA — The iNews Times | The Awka Diocese of the Anglican Communion has rejected the six-month compulsory leave imposed on its Bishop and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, by Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, and has threatened to withdraw entirely from the Church of Nigeria if the decision is not reversed.
In a strongly worded communiqué released on Sunday, the Diocesan Board of Awka Diocese described the Primate’s directive as “draconian, oppressive, vindictive and grossly unjust.” The board also rejected the appointment of Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, Bishop of Aguata, as Supervising Bishop of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
Tensions within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) https://www.anglican-nig.org have been building for months over allegations of financial mismanagement and internal crisis in the Diocese of Awka. On October 13, 2026, Primate Ndukuba issued a letter directing Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave with immediate effect. The Primate cited ongoing investigations into “misuse and misappropriation of funds, crisis as well as recent developments” in the diocese. He simultaneously appointed Bishop Ezeofor to oversee both the diocese and the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence.
The move comes against the backdrop of multiple court cases involving the Archbishop, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Primate himself.
Key Developments
An emergency meeting of the Diocesan Board of Awka Diocese was held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Chapel of Divine Favour, Anglican Village, Ifite-Awka. After exhaustive deliberations, the board issued a communiqué signed by the Lord Chancellor of the Diocese, Sir B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN; Synod Secretary, Ven. K.E.N. Chukwukamma; and Lay Synod Secretary, Mr Eugene Okonkwo.
The board emphatically rejected the Primate’s letter in its entirety. It specifically nullified the compulsory leave order against Archbishop Ibezim and the appointment of Bishop Ezeofor. The board argued that three suits currently pending before the Anambra State High Court make the Primate’s action legally untenable. These include Suit No. A/Misc. 446/2025 (Ibezim v. EFCC), Suit No. A/Misc. 494/2026 (Ibezim v. Inspector-General of Police and others), and Suit No. A/371/2026 (Ibezim v. Ndukuba and another).
According to the board, all parties are legally bound to refrain from any action that could interfere with the subject matter of the pending cases. The communiqué further argued that Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria 2020, cited by the Primate, does not empower him to force a fellow bishop and archbishop on compulsory leave or ban him from officiating.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The Diocesan Board of Awka Diocese maintained that the Primate’s action violates constitutional rights. “Such draconian, oppressive, vindictive and grossly unjust decisions by the Primate against Archbishop Ibezim violate section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which presumes any one accused or charged with a criminal offence as innocent until proven guilty,” the communiqué stated.
It further accused the Primate of violating section 38(1) of the same Constitution by restricting Archbishop Ibezim’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The board issued a clear warning: “If the Primate and Bishop Ezeofor continue threatening the peace of Awka Diocese and its Archbishop and bishop, and unlawfully interfere with its affairs, it shall withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and continue with the Church of England, which never disturbed the Diocese.”
Implications
The crisis in Awka Diocese carries significant implications for the unity and stability of the Church of Nigeria, particularly within the Province of the Niger, one of the most influential ecclesiastical provinces in the Anglican Communion in Nigeria. A formal withdrawal by Awka Diocese would mark a rare and dramatic rupture, potentially encouraging other dioceses facing internal disputes to consider similar steps.
Beyond ecclesiastical politics, the matter raises serious questions about the interplay between church governance and the Nigerian judicial system. By citing pending court cases and constitutional provisions, the Awka Diocese has elevated the dispute from an internal church matter into a broader constitutional and legal confrontation. The public nature of the rejection also risks deepening polarisation among clergy and laity across Anambra State and the South-East.
What Happens Next
All eyes are now on the response of Primate Ndukuba and the leadership of the Church of Nigeria. The Awka Diocese has made its position clear: the leave order and the appointment of Bishop Ezeofor must be reversed. Failure to do so, the board has indicated, will trigger a formal process of withdrawal and realignment with the Church of England.
Meanwhile, the three suits before the Anambra State High Court remain active. Any further administrative action by either side could be interpreted as interference with the judicial process, potentially inviting additional legal challenges. Church observers expect intense behind-the-scenes negotiations in the coming days as both parties weigh the cost of escalation against the possibility of a quiet resolution.
Conclusion
The rejection of the Primate’s directive by the Awka Diocese represents one of the most open acts of defiance against the central leadership of the Church of Nigeria in recent years. What began as an internal administrative measure has rapidly escalated into a constitutional, legal and ecclesiastical standoff with the potential to reshape relationships within the Anglican Communion in Nigeria. The coming weeks will determine whether dialogue or further confrontation defines the future of Awka Diocese and the Province of the Niger.
