Anglican Church Suspends Archbishop Ibezim, Bars Him from Officiating Church Activities, Appoints Ezeofor as Supervising Bishop

The directive, contained in a letter dated October 13, 2026, followed reports from administrative panels set up to examine developments in the diocese, including a visitation team led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria. It also followed a meeting between the Primate and Bishop Ibezim on October 9, 2026. According to the letter, the leave is intended to facilitate a fair and thorough investigation, restore peace and promote reconciliation within the diocese. The Primate clarified that the decision was an administrative measure and not a disciplinary sanction, citing Section 29(1) of Chapter V of the Church of Nigeria’s Constitution and Canons, 2020. As part of the arrangement, the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, has been appointed Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger during the period. Bishop Ibezim was directed to hand over immediately to Bishop Ezeofor and refrain from officiating at activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger and Awka Diocese while on leave. Although the letter did not specify the nature of the allegations against Ibezim or provide details of the findings in the visitation team’s report, sources familiar with the developments alleged that the Archbishop was recently accused of selling church lands valued at over ₦2 billion without authorisation. The allegation reportedly escalated into a legal and ecclesiastical dispute, amid speculation that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were seeking to arrest the Archbishop. The reported move followed a petition dated July 28 and submitted to the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate by Chief G. Tagbo (SAN) of Ike Ike Associates on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, a church member at St. Faith Cathedral, Awka. However, an arrest was reportedly restrained by the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka following an order granted by Justice F.I. Aniukwu. The order was issued in response to an ex parte motion dated September 4, 2025, filed by the Archbishop through his counsel, B.E.I. Nwofor (SAN). The controversy also reportedly led to the removal of the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka, retired Justice O.J. Okeke, by Archbishop Ibezim. The Primate’s letter, which formally directs Bishop Ibezim to proceed on leave, states that the six-month period is subject to review.