Archbishop Ibezim Challenges Suspension From Episcopal Office In Court
The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has approached the Anambra State High Court to challenge the disciplinary process initiated against him by the leadership of the Church of Nigeria.
Ibezim filed an originating summons sought judicial interpretation of the Church’s Constitution and Canons regarding disciplinary proceedings against a serving diocesan bishop.
The Archbishop named the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, as the first defendant, while the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, who chairs a visitation team to the Diocese of Awka as the second defendant.
Ibezim described the visitation team, constituted by the Primate through a letter dated June 17, 2026, as “illegally constituted.”
The suit seeks three major declarations from the court.
First, Ibezim is asking the court to declare that disciplinary proceedings against a serving diocesan bishop must strictly comply with the procedures prescribed by the 2020 Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
He cited Sections 55 and 75 to 76 of the Constitution, alongside Sections 22 to 28 of Canon XVI, arguing that the stipulated procedures must be followed before any disciplinary sanction, including suspension or removal from office as Bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger could be imposed.
The Archbishop prayed the court to determine whether at least one of the ten offences listed under Section 1 of Canon XVI must be established before disciplinary action can be taken against him.
The provision outlines offences for which a primate, archbishop, bishop, priest or deacon may be tried under the Church’s disciplinary framework.
Thirdly, he sought an interpretation of several provisions across Canons V, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII, which he says regulate the duties, powers and disciplinary responsibilities of the various offices within the Church.
The defendants are listed at St. Matthias House, Plot 942, Ibrahim Waziri Crescent, Gudu District, Apo, Abuja, and have 42 days from the date of service of the originating summons to enter an appearance.
The legal action comes amid growing tensions within the Church of Nigeria over the disciplinary measures being considered against the Awka diocesan bishop.
Recall that in a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate informed Archbishop Ibezim of the Church’s decision directing him to proceed on six months of compulsory leave pending the resolution of investigations into allegations involving him and the Diocese of Awka.
The court action now places the interpretation of the Church’s constitutional and canonical provisions at the centre of the dispute, with the court being asked to determine the applicable rules governing disciplinary proceedings against a serving bishop.
