The Anglican Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has dragged the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, before the Anambra State High Court over his alleged suspension and moves to subject him to disciplinary proceedings.
In an originating summons filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, Ibezim is seeking judicial interpretation of provisions of the 2020 Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria governing disciplinary proceedings against serving diocesan bishops.
Ndukuba is named as the first defendant in the suit, while the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, who chaired a visitation team to the Diocese of Awka, is listed as the second defendant.
At the heart of the dispute is the legality of the visitation team constituted by the Primate. Ibezim has challenged the team’s legitimacy, describing it as “illegally constituted” in a letter dated June 17, 2026.
The archbishop is asking the court to determine the proper procedure for disciplining a serving diocesan bishop and establish whether the church’s governing laws must be strictly observed before any disciplinary action can be taken against him.
Specifically, Ibezim is seeking a declaration that the procedures for disciplining a serving diocesan bishop are prescribed under Sections 55 and 75 to 76 of the Church of Nigeria’s 2020 Constitution, alongside Sections 22 to 28 of Canon XVI.
He wants the court to affirm that these provisions must be strictly followed before any disciplinary measure, including suspension or removal from office as Bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, can lawfully be imposed on him.
The claimant is also asking the court to declare that at least one of the 10 offences listed under Section 1 of Canon XVI must be established before disciplinary proceedings can validly be initiated against him.
The provisions outline offences for which senior clergy of the Church of Nigeria, including the Primate, archbishops, bishops, priests and deacons, may be subjected to trial under the church’s disciplinary framework.
Beyond the immediate dispute over his suspension, Ibezim is seeking judicial clarification on the interpretation and application of several constitutional and canonical provisions defining the powers, duties and responsibilities of various offices within the Church of Nigeria.
The provisions cited in the suit cover Canons V, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII, underscoring the breadth of the legal questions the archbishop wants the court to resolve.
The defendants are listed at St Matthias House, Plot 942, Ibrahim Waziri Crescent, Gudu District, Apo, Abuja. According to the originating summons, they have 42 days from the date of service to enter an appearance.
The legal action follows a letter dated October 13, 2026, in which Ndukuba conveyed the Church of Nigeria’s decision directing Ibezim to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations involving the archbishop and the Diocese of Awka.
The court’s interpretation of the church’s constitution and canons could prove significant in determining the procedures governing disciplinary action against serving diocesan bishops within the Church of Nigeria.
