Awka Diocese threatens to quit Church of Nigeria over bishop’s suspension

The Diocese of Awka of the Anglican Communion has threatened to withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and return to the Church of England if the suspension of its bishop, Alexander Ibezim, is not reversed.
The diocese’s board rejected the six-month suspension imposed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, as well as the appointment of Samuel Ezeofor, Bishop of Aguata, to oversee its affairs during Ibezim’s absence.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting on 16 October, the board accused the primate and Ezeofor of interfering in the diocese’s affairs and warned that it would consider leaving the Church of Nigeria if the situation continued.
The dispute follows Ndukuba’s directive of 13 October ordering Ibezim to proceed on six months’ leave while allegations against him and developments within the diocese are investigated. The primate also barred him from officiating at church activities in the Diocese of Awka and the Province of the Niger during the period.
One of the allegations against Ibezim concerns the reported sale of church land for N2bn without the required authorisation. The primate said the leave was an administrative measure intended to facilitate a fair investigation and restore peace, rather than a disciplinary sanction.
However, the Awka diocesan board argued that the Church of Nigeria’s constitution and canons did not empower the primate to compel Ibezim to take leave or appoint another bishop to assume his responsibilities.
The board also called on Ndukuba and Ezeofor to respect court proceedings concerning the allegations and the suspension. It referred to three suits involving the matter, including a case challenging the suspension and proposed disciplinary action.
The board further claimed that two investigative panels had been established to examine allegations against Ibezim, but their reports had not been submitted to the Episcopal Synod for consideration as required by church regulations.
It insisted that no funds belonging to the diocese had been misappropriated by Ibezim and said neither panel had established financial wrongdoing against him.
The board maintained that Ibezim remained the bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger despite the suspension. It directed diocesan bodies to continue their lawful activities under his leadership and warned against accepting instructions from Ezeofor.
The controversy has also prompted legal action by Ibezim, who is challenging the primate’s decision and the proposed disciplinary process.
The Church of Nigeria announced its break from the Church of England in October 2025, citing disagreements over the appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury and her support for same-sex marriage. The Awka diocese’s threat to return to the Church of England would therefore add another dimension to the dispute.