The Anglican Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has sued the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, challenging the legality of the disciplinary process initiated against him.
The legal action follows the Primate’s October 13, 2026 directive placing Ibezim on six months’ compulsory leave to allow investigations into developments within the Diocese of Awka.
Premium Times reported on October 17, 2026, that the controversy was linked to an allegation that Ibezim sold church land for ₦2 billion without authorisation from the appropriate church authorities. The allegation has not been established as fact, and the Primate’s directive reportedly did not specify the alleged offences or detail the findings of the investigation.
In the suit filed at the Anambra State High Court, Awka Judicial Division, Ibezim is seeking an interpretation of the Church of Nigeria’s 2020 Constitution and Canons, particularly the provisions governing disciplinary proceedings against serving diocesan bishops.
He is challenging the legality and constitutionality of a visitation team led by Enyindah, which investigated developments in the diocese. Ibezim reportedly argued that the team was improperly constituted in a letter issued by the Primate on June 17, 2026.
The archbishop wants the court to determine whether the church leadership must strictly comply with its constitutional and canonical provisions before taking disciplinary action against a serving bishop.
He cited Sections 55, 75 and 76 of the church’s 2020 Constitution, alongside Sections 22 to 28 of Canon XVI, as relevant to the procedures governing disciplinary proceedings against bishops.
He is also seeking a declaration that at least one of the 10 offences listed under Section 1 of Canon XVI must be established before disciplinary action can lawfully be taken against a church leader covered by the relevant provisions.
The suit further seeks judicial interpretation of provisions in Canons V, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII concerning the powers, responsibilities and disciplinary procedures applicable to various offices within the church.
Ibezim is asking the court to clarify the limits of the church leadership’s authority and the procedures required before any suspension or removal from his positions as Bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger.
According to details in the court filing, the defendants have 42 days from the date of service of the originating summons to enter an appearance.
Meanwhile, the church has reportedly maintained that the compulsory leave is an administrative measure intended to facilitate investigations, restore peace and promote reconciliation in the Diocese of Awka, rather than a disciplinary sanction.
The Primate reportedly relied on Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the church’s 2020 Constitution and Canons in issuing the directive.
The Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, was appointed Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence. The directive also required Ibezim to hand over his responsibilities and refrain from officiating at church activities during the period, subject to a review of the leave.
The court action has brought the dispute over the interpretation and application of the Anglican Church’s governing laws before the judiciary.
As of October 17, 2026, no ruling on the substantive issues raised in the suit had been reported. The reported ₦2 billion land-sale allegation remains unproven, pending the outcome of any relevant investigation or judicial proceedings.
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