Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, has filed a legal challenge at the Anambra State High Court over the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)’s handling of investigations involving him and the diocese.
The suit names the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, as defendants. Ibezim is seeking clarification on the constitution of a visitation team and the rules governing disciplinary proceedings against a serving bishop.
The legal action follows Ndukuba’s directive that Ibezim proceed on six months of compulsory leave with immediate effect, after investigations into allegations and recent developments within the Diocese of Awka.
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In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate also appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger for the duration of Ibezim’s absence.
However, in an originating summons filed on October 13 at the Awka Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court, Ibezim asked the court to interpret relevant provisions of the Church’s 2020 Constitution and Canons, particularly those governing disciplinary proceedings against serving bishops.
The case, marked A/371/2026, identifies Ndukuba as the first defendant and Enyindah as the second defendant. Enyindah is also named in the court documents as chairman of the visitation team established by the Primate.
Bishop Challenges Disciplinary Procedures
Ibezim is asking the court to declare that the procedures prescribed by the Church’s Constitution and Canons must be followed before disciplinary action can be taken against a serving bishop.
One of the reliefs sought in the suit concerns sections 55, 75(1)–(5) and 76(1)–(5), as well as sections 22 and 24–28 of Canon XVI of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Constitution and Canons, 2020.
The archbishop wants the court to affirm that these provisions establish the procedures that must be observed before disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or removal from office, can be imposed on him as Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger.
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 be taken against a primate, provincial archbishop, bishop, priest or deacon.
The suit further asks the court to interpret various provisions of the Church’s governing documents relating to the powers, responsibilities and disciplinary processes applicable to its officials.
In the originating summons, Ibezim challenges the legality of the visitation team constituted by Ndukuba in a letter dated June 17, 2026.
The court document describes the team as having been “illegally constituted”. This remains the plaintiff’s allegation and has yet to be determined by the court.
The suit was filed on Ibezim’s behalf by his lead counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor (SAN).
Meanwhile, Ndukuba has maintained that the six-month compulsory leave is an administrative measure designed to allow an impartial investigation into the issues surrounding the diocese and help restore peace within the Diocese of Awka.
