“The Leave Is Not A Disciplinary Sanction” — Anglican Primate Sends Archbishop Ibezim On Six-Month Leave Over ₦2bn Church Land Allegation

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, has directed the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander C. Ibezim, to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect.

In a letter dated Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the Primate said the decision followed recent developments in the Diocese of Awka, where the Archbishop has been at the centre of allegations and events which, in the Primate’s view, raised concerns about the integrity and reputation of the Church of Nigeria.

He cited administrative panels set up to look into those developments, and in particular a visitation team led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, whose report had been submitted and considered, together with a meeting with the Archbishop on Friday, 9 October, at which the team’s report was discussed.

The Primate said he acted under section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 2020, which he said grants the Primate general authority and supervisory powers over the Church.

The letter:

• directs the Archbishop to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect;
• bars him from officiating at any activity of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger or the Anglican Diocese of Awka throughout the leave;
• directs him to prepare for and effect an immediate handover of his responsibilities before leaving; and
• appoints the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger, to assume and exercise episcopal responsibilities and oversight of both during the Archbishop’s absence.

The Primate said the measure was intended to allow a fair and thorough investigation into the allegations while creating room for the restoration of peace and reconciliation in the Diocese of Awka.

He stated expressly that the leave does not constitute a disciplinary sanction, but is an administrative step to facilitate an impartial inquiry.

Copies of the letter went to the Rt. Rev. Samuel 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.

The letter does not specify the nature of the allegations. It has been reported that the Archbishop was accused of selling church lands worth more than N2 billion without authorisation, and that the allegation developed into a legal and ecclesiastical dispute accompanied by speculation that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sought to arrest him.

The reported sequence is as follows.

A petition dated 28 July was submitted to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by Chief G. Tagbo, SAN, of Ike Ike Associates, on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, described as a member of the church at St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.

The Archbishop then applied to the Anambra State High Court sitting at Awka, through his counsel B. E. I. Nwofor, SAN, by a motion ex parte dated 4 September 2025, and obtained an order from Hon. Justice F. I. Aniukwu restraining his arrest.

The order, as reported, reads:

“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 interim order is made to last till such a period that the parties would have fully exchanged processes in respect of the Motion on Notice No: A/1307M/2025 filed alongside the motion ex parte.”

“Unless renewed, the order of interim injunction herein granted shall elapse 21 days from today.”

The controversy is also reported to have led to the removal of the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka, Hon. Justice O. J. Okeke (retd.), by the Archbishop.

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