Awka Diocese Crisis: Court Adjourns Ibezim’s Bid to Reverse Primate’s Directive

The adjournment followed prolonged arguments over pending applications, including Ibezim’s bid to overturn the directive placing him on six months’ compulsory leave and the defence’s preliminary objections challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The proceedings, which lasted more than two hours, centred on whether the court should first determine the jurisdictional objections before considering the substantive applications.

Ibezim’s legal team, led by B. E. I. Nwofor, SAN, urged the court to prioritise his application, arguing that the Primate’s October 13 directive was issued while the case was pending and amounted to contempt of court. The team also sought an order allowing Ibezim to return to office pending the determination of the suit.

Nwofor, who was recently removed as Chancellor of the diocese, is challenging the directive and seeking to prevent Bishop Samuel Ezeofor, appointed Supervising Bishop, from taking over the administration of the diocese.

However, Chijioke Emeka, SAN, who led the Primate’s legal team, drew the court’s attention to four notices of preliminary objection, insisting that jurisdiction was a fundamental issue that should be resolved before the court proceeds further.

Emeka also disputed the allegation that the directive was issued in disregard of the pending litigation, maintaining that the October 13 letter was issued without knowledge of the suit. He reportedly told the court that the defence team learnt of the case through social media.

The Primate’s counsel further stated that Ezeofor had assumed the role of Supervising Bishop and that clergy members of the diocese had reaffirmed their allegiance to the Primate and the Church of Nigeria through renewed oaths of canonical obedience.

The proceedings also featured a tense exchange over Nwofor’s continued involvement in the dispute, following remarks attributed to him about joining the Church of England. The exchange reportedly elicited laughter in the courtroom.

The parties also disagreed over whether court processes filed by Ibezim had been properly served on the Primate in Abuja.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Obiora Nwabunike urged counsel to moderate their exchanges and assured them that the court was prepared to hear the pending applications. The judge indicated that he would avoid making orders that could be interpreted as prejudging the competing claims.

At the end of the proceedings, the court fixed November 26, 2026, for the hearing of Nwofor’s motion and the preliminary objections challenging its jurisdiction.

No substantive ruling was delivered on the dispute, leaving unresolved the question of whether the court has jurisdiction to entertain the suit and whether Ibezim’s application to reverse the Primate’s directive will succeed.

The legal battle comes amid a separate dispute between Nwofor and Ezeofor over his removal as Chancellor of the diocese. Nwofor reportedly demanded a public apology and ₦5 billion in compensation over what he described as defamation arising from his removal.

For now, the Primate’s directive placing Ibezim on six months’ compulsory leave remains in effect, while Ezeofor continues as Supervising Bishop, subject to any subsequent court order.

The parties are expected to return to court on November 26 as the legal proceedings over the leadership of the Awka Diocese continue.