AWKA DIOCESE REJECTS PRIMATE’S DIRECTIVE ON ARCHBISHOP IBEZIM, THREATENS WITHDRAWAL FROM CHURCH OF NIGERIA
By Emezina Patricia
The Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, has rejected a directive by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, asking the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Revd Alexander C. Ibezim, to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave.
The Diocese also rejected the appointment of the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, the Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor, as supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
The decisions were contained in a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the Diocesan Board held on October 16, at the Chapel of Divine Favour, Anglican Village, Ifite Awka.
The Board said the directive and appointment were unacceptable, citing pending court cases involving Archbishop Ibezim and the Primate, among other parties. It maintained that the matters remained before the High Court of Anambra State and should be allowed to run their legal course.
According to the communique, the Board also referred to existing injunctions and pending applications for injunctions concerning the allegations against Archbishop Ibezim, arguing that the directive could interfere with the judicial process.
The Board further maintained that the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, 2020, and the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023, did not empower the Primate to impose compulsory leave on Archbishop Ibezim or appoint another Bishop to assume his responsibilities.
It also argued that the directive violated Archbishop Ibezim’s constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence and freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as provided under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The communique questioned the stated objective of facilitating an impartial inquiry, claiming that two panels previously constituted to investigate allegations against the Archbishop had submitted their reports, which the Board said had not been released or presented to the appropriate church authorities for consideration.
The Board expressed confidence in Archbishop Ibezim’s leadership, integrity and commitment to duty, insisting that he remained the Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and should continue to discharge his responsibilities.
It also maintained that the Diocese was peaceful, united and progressive, adding that, according to the Board, neither of the two investigative panels had indicted Archbishop Ibezim for financial misconduct.
The Board commended the Archbishop for infrastructural development in the Diocese and urged him to remain focused on his duties. It also warned Bishop Ezeofor against interfering in the affairs of Awka Diocese, stating that it would seek legal and law-enforcement intervention if necessary.
The communique directed all organs of the Diocese to remain loyal to Archbishop Ibezim and continue their lawful activities, warning that disobedience to the directive could attract sanctions.
The Board further warned that if the Primate and Bishop Ezeofor continued with actions it considered interference in the Diocese’s affairs, it would consider withdrawing from the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and continuing its affiliation with the Church of England.
The communiqué was signed by Sir B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, Lord Chancellor of the Diocese; Ven. K.E.N. Chukwukamma, PhD, Synod Secretary; and Mr Eugene Chukwudi Okonkwo, Lay Synod Secretary.
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