By Ayodele Oni
Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) in Anambra State has rejected the six months suspension clamped on His Lordship, The Rt Rev. Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka.
In a letter, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, had directed Ibezim to proceed on a six-month suspension to pave way for investigation os some allegations against him.
Rising from a Board meeting of the Diocese of Awka, members, in a communique, stated that:
“The Board emphatically rejects in its entirety the said letter. More specifically, the Board rejects the directive to His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander C. Ibezim, PhD, Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka to proceed on six months compulsory leave.
“The Board rejects the appointment of His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor as supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Cordinating Bishop of Province of the Niger because of the following reasons:
“The appointment was made in disregard of pending litigations in Suit No A/Misc 446/2025: The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed on 4th September, 2025; Suit No A/Misc. 494/2026.
“The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Inspector General of Police and others filed on the 2nd October, 2026 and Suit No A/371/2026 – The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim vs The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba and Anor filed on 13th October, 2026.
“These suits are still pending for determination by the High Court of Anambra State and the subject matters of these suits are the various allegations made against His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim .
“His Grace, The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor and many members of the Church of Nigeria are fully aware of the pendency in court of these cases and are duty bound in law to refrain from doing any thing whatsoever to interfere with the subject matters of the suits until the determination of the cases by the court.
“The matters are sub judice.
To the knowledge of the Primate and His Lordship, The Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor, there are subsisting orders of injunction on the subject matter of the allegations against His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim made by the High Court of Anambra state on the 9th day of September, 2025 which restrains the EFCC and Prince Echezona Bonti Onuigbo and which was renewed by the consent of the parties on 14th October, 2025.
“There are also pendintg motions of injunctiion in suit No A/371/2026 – The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba and Anor seeking to restrain the Primate from writing and issuing any letter of suspension or any further letter which will have the effect of truncating the continuity in office of His Grace, the Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD as the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese Anglican Communion.
“The Primate and Rt Revd Ezeofor are fully aware that no one is above the law irrespective of his or her position or status, and ought to be law abiding and respect the court where the allegations against Archbishop Ibezim are pending for determination.
“They are also aware that it is unlawful and contemptious to disregard the court and take the law into their hands by actions which have the effect of preempting or anticipating the decisions of the court such as the letter under refrence.
“Furthermore, there is no provision in both the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 and the Constitution and Regulation of the Diocese of Awka 2023, which empowered, mandate or authorised the Primate, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba to direct Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on compulsory leave for Six Months or any period.”
The board also insisted that the constitution does not empower the primate to appoint any Bishop as the supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger to assume and exercise all episcopal responsibilities and oversight of the Diocese of Awka and the Province of the Niger during the period of the puported leave.
“Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 cited by the Primate in his letter of 13th October, 2026 is inapplicable as it contains nothing empowering the Primate to force a fellow Bishop and Archbishop to proceed on compulsory leave and handover his duties to another Bishop and precluding the Bishop from officiating in any activities of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), of the Niger Province and Awka Diocese.
“The Board categorically affirms that Archbishop Ibezim remains in his position as Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop, Province of the Niger Anglican Communion and should continue to discharge the duties of his office.
“The Board hereby expresses its total confidence and trust in the honesty, intergrity, competence, ability and devotion to duty of Arcbishop Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim in the discharge of his duties.
“The Board hereby affirms that Awka Diocese is peaceful, united and progressive.
“The Board unequivocally affirms that no money of Awka Diocese is missing, stolen, misused, or misappropriated by Archbishop Ibezim. Even the two panels set up by the Primate have not disclosed any indictment of financial misdeed by Archbishop Ibezim.”
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