Suspension: Archbishop Ibexim Sues Church, Seeks Restraining Order Against Primate Ndukuba, Others
Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, has sued the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Blessing Enyindah, over his suspension from church activities.
Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, has sued the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Blessing Enyindah, over his suspension from church activities.
Ibezim filed the suit at the High Court of Anambra State, following his six months suspension over alleged misconduct.
The Archbishop is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the church leaders from either suspending, removing, retiring, or dismissing him from his ecclesiastical offices until the court determines a substantive suit, according to the SaharaReporters.
It was said that, the legal action follows reports that Primate Ndukuba directed Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave amid an investigation into allegations of unauthorized sale of church land valued at over ₦2 billion, underscoring deepening tensions in the Anglican Church in Nigeria you Communion
The case, now before the Anambra High Court, the nderscores deepening tensions within the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, as the church grapples with allegations of financial impropriety and leadership disputes.
Ibezim is challenging the procedure adopted by the Church’s leadership, arguing that the constitution and canons of the Church of Nigeria prescribe the procedures for disciplining a serving bishop.
The suit, marked A/371/2026, was filed at the Awka Judicial Division of the High Court of Anambra State through his lead counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor (SAN).
In the originating summons, dated October 13, 2026, Ibezim is asking the court to declare that the procedures for disciplining a serving bishop are set 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.
Among the reliefs sought, the Archbishop is asking for: “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants… from writing, signing, and issuing/serving/delivering any letter of suspension, or removal, retirement or dismissal from his office as Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka… pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
He is also seeking an order restraining Ndukuba and Enyindah from “further threatening to suspend, remove or retire the plaintiff from his offices… and from interfering in the affairs of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) for any purpose whatsoever without the prior consent in writing of the plaintiff.”
The court documents also challenge the constitution of a visitation team set up to investigate developments in the Awka Diocese of the church.
Ibezim described the team as “illegally constituted by the 1st Defendant vide letter dated 17/6/2026.”
Enyindah, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, is listed as the chairman of the disputed visitation team.
The motion was brought under Order 39 Rules 1(1), 2(2), 8, Order 40 Rules 1(1)(2), 3(1), 8 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and Section 6(6)(A) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ndukuba had directed Ibezim to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect following allegations and developments in the Diocese of Awka.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate said the decision followed concerns about the integrity and reputation of the Church of Nigeria arising from recent developments in the diocese.
Ndukuba cited reports from administrative panels, particularly a visitation team led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, as well as a meeting with Ibezim on October 9, during which the findings were discussed.
The Primate said the action was taken under Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 2020.
He explained that the measure was intended to allow a fair and thorough investigation while creating room for peace and reconciliation in the diocese.
Ndukuba specifically clarified that the six-month leave was an administrative measure and did not constitute a disciplinary sanction.
During Ibezim’s absence, the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, the Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor, was appointed Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
Ibezim was also instructed not to officiate at activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger or the Diocese of Awka during the period. He was directed to hand over his responsibilities to Ezeofor.
The Archbishop had been accused of selling church land worth more than ₦2 billion without authorisation.
The allegations reportedly prompted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The petition, dated July 28, was submitted to the commission’s Enugu Zonal Directorate by Chief G. Tagbo (SAN) of Ike Ike Associates on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, a member of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.
The controversy also led to speculation that EFCC officials intended to arrest Ibezim.
The Anambra State High Court, sitting in Awka, had issued an interim order restraining the commission and its agents from arresting or detaining the Archbishop in connection with the matter
The order was granted by Justice F.I. Aniukwu following an ex parte application filed by Ibezim through his lawyer, Nwofor.
The judge ordered that the injunction would remain in effect until the parties had exchanged court processes and the motion on notice was heard or fixed for hearing, subject to the stated 21-day period unless renewed.
The controversy also led to the removal of the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka, retired Justice O.J. Okeke, by Ibezim.
Ibezim is challenging the procedure adopted by the Church’s leadership, arguing that the constitution and canons of the Church of Nigeria prescribe the procedures for disciplining a serving bishop.
The suit, marked A/371/2026, was filed at the Awka Judicial Division of the High Court of Anambra State through his lead counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor (SAN).
In the originating summons, dated October 13, 2026, Ibezim is asking the court to declare that the procedures for disciplining a serving bishop are set 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.
Among the reliefs sought, the Archbishop is asking for: “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants… from writing, signing, and issuing/serving/delivering any letter of suspension, or removal, retirement or dismissal from his office as Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka… pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
He is also seeking an order restraining Ndukuba and Enyindah from “further threatening to suspend, remove or retire the plaintiff from his offices… and from interfering in the affairs of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) for any purpose whatsoever without the prior consent in writing of the plaintiff.”
The court documents also challenge the constitution of a visitation team set up to investigate developments in the Awka Diocese of the church.
Ibezim described the team as “illegally constituted by the 1st Defendant vide letter dated 17/6/2026.”
Enyindah, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, is listed as the chairman of the disputed visitation team.
The motion was brought under Order 39 Rules 1(1), 2(2), 8, Order 40 Rules 1(1)(2), 3(1), 8 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and Section 6(6)(A) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ndukuba had directed Ibezim to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect following allegations and developments in the Diocese of Awka.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate said the decision followed concerns about the integrity and reputation of the Church of Nigeria arising from recent developments in the diocese.
Ndukuba cited reports from administrative panels, particularly a visitation team led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, as well as a meeting with Ibezim on October 9, during which the findings were discussed.
The Primate said the action was taken under Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 2020.
He explained that the measure was intended to allow a fair and thorough investigation while creating room for peace and reconciliation in the diocese.
Ndukuba specifically clarified that the six-month leave was an administrative measure and did not constitute a disciplinary sanction.
During Ibezim’s absence, the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, the Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor, was appointed Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
Ibezim was also instructed not to officiate at activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger or the Diocese of Awka during the period. He was directed to hand over his responsibilities to Ezeofor.
The Archbishop had been accused of selling church land worth more than ₦2 billion without authorisation.
The allegations reportedly prompted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The petition, dated July 28, was submitted to the commission’s Enugu Zonal Directorate by Chief G. Tagbo (SAN) of Ike Ike Associates on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, a member of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.
The controversy also led to speculation that EFCC officials intended to arrest Ibezim.
The Anambra State High Court, sitting in Awka, had issued an interim order restraining the commission and its agents from arresting or detaining the Archbishop in connection with the matter
The order was granted by Justice F.I. Aniukwu following an ex parte application filed by Ibezim through his lawyer, Nwofor.
The judge ordered that the injunction would remain in effect until the parties had exchanged court processes and the motion on notice was heard or fixed for hearing, subject to the stated 21-day period unless renewed.
The controversy also led to the removal of the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka, retired Justice O.J. Okeke, by Ibezim.
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