Primate appoints Ezeofor to oversee Awka Diocese, Niger Province, orders Ibezim on six-month leave

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has appointed the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, to oversee Awka Diocese and the Province of the Niger following a directive for Archbishop Alexander Ibezim to proceed on six-month administrative leave.

The directive, contained in a letter dated October 13, 2026, is intended to facilitate a fair and thorough investigation into allegations concerning Awka Diocese, as well as promote peace and reconciliation within the church.

Ibezim is the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese.

In the letter, Ndukuba said the decision followed a series of administrative panels established to examine developments in the diocese, including a recent visitation team led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria.

The Primate also referred to a meeting with Ibezim on October 9, during which the report of the visitation team was discussed.

According to the letter, the directive was issued pursuant to Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020, which empowers the Primate with general authority and supervisory powers over the church.

Ndukuba, however, clarified that the six-month leave was an administrative measure and did not constitute a disciplinary sanction.

Under the temporary arrangement, Ezeofor will serve as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger, exercising episcopal responsibilities and providing oversight for both institutions throughout Ibezim’s absence.

Bishop Ezeofor and Bishop Ibezim

The Primate directed Ibezim to prepare for an immediate handover to Ezeofor.

He further stated that Ibezim would not be expected to officiate at any activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger or Awka Diocese during the leave.

The six-month period takes effect from October 13, 2026, although the Primate indicated that its duration could be reviewed.

The letter was signed by Ndukuba in his capacity as Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria.

The supervisory arrangement is expected to ensure continuity in the administration of Awka Diocese and the Province of the Niger while the issues prompting the directive are addressed.

Bishop Ezeofor

Copies of the letter were sent to Ezeofor, the Chancellor and Registrar of the Church of Nigeria, the Provincial Council of the Province of the Niger, and the Diocesan Board of the Diocese of Awka.

Although the official letter was silent on the allegations, it’s already in the public domain that Archbishop Ibezim is facing accusations of selling church lands worth over ₦2 billion without authorization.

The petition that triggered the crisis was dated July 28 and addressed to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. It was filed by Chief G. Tagbo, SAN, of Ike Ike Associates, on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, a member of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.

The development snowballed into a major legal and ecclesiastical crisis, sparking speculation that EFCC operatives were set to arrest the Archbishop.

However, the arrest was stalled by an interim injunction from the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka. In a ruling delivered by Justice F.I. Aniukwu on a motion ex parte dated September 4, 2025, filed by the Archbishop’s counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, the court restrained the anti-graft agency from taking action against him.

Justice Aniukwu ruled: “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the respondents, acting by themselves or by their staff, servants, officers, workers or agents, from arresting or detaining the applicant in connection with the facts of this case.”

The judge further held that the order would subsist pending the exchange of processes in respect of Motion on Notice No: A/1307M/2025 and its hearing by the regular court, adding: “Unless renewed, the order of interim injunction herein granted shall elapse 21 days from today.”

Amid the controversy, the Archbishop also sacked the Chancellor of the Awka Diocese, Hon. Justice O. J. Okeke (rtd).