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The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has approached the Anambra State High Court to challenge the decision of the Church of Nigeria to place him on six months of compulsory leave.
Ibezim instituted the suit against the Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, amid an ongoing disciplinary process involving the cleric and the Diocese of Awka.
According to a report by Ichie Times, the archbishop filed an originating summons on October 13, 2026, at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, seeking judicial interpretation of the church’s constitution and canons governing disciplinary proceedings against serving bishops.
The legal action comes days after Ndukuba communicated the church’s decision directing Ibezim to proceed on compulsory leave for six months while investigations into allegations involving him and the diocese are conducted.
The dispute centres on the procedures adopted by the church leadership in handling the matter and whether the relevant constitutional and canonical provisions were followed before the compulsory leave directive was issued.
Ibezim challenges visitation team’s constitution
In the suit, Ibezim named Ndukuba as the first defendant and Enyindah as the second defendant. Enyindah was joined in his capacity as chairman of a visitation team constituted to examine matters concerning the Diocese of Awka.
The archbishop is challenging the legality of the visitation team, which he described as having been illegally constituted by the Primate through a letter dated June 17, 2026.
The suit seeks a determination of the authority under which the team was established and the procedures that should govern any investigation or disciplinary action involving a serving diocesan bishop.
The visitation team’s constitution is one of the issues raised in the legal challenge, as Ibezim seeks the court’s interpretation of the powers and responsibilities of the church’s leadership under its governing documents.
Court asked to interpret church constitution
Among the reliefs sought by Ibezim is a declaration that the procedure for disciplining a serving diocesan bishop is prescribed by the 2020 Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
He specifically cited Sections 55 and 75 to 76 of the constitution, as well as Sections 22 to 28 of Canon XVI, arguing that the provisions must be strictly followed before disciplinary sanctions are imposed.
The sanctions covered by the suit include suspension or removal from office as Bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger.
Ibezim is also asking the court to declare that at least one of the 10 offences listed in Section 1 of Canon XVI must be established before disciplinary action can be taken against a primate, archbishop, bishop, priest or deacon.
The provision, as presented in the originating summons, forms part of the legal basis for his request that the court determine the requirements for initiating and concluding disciplinary proceedings against a serving church leader.
Multiple canonical provisions cited
The archbishop is further seeking an interpretation of several provisions across Canons V, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII of the church’s governing framework.
The provisions cited concern the duties, powers and responsibilities of different church offices, as well as the rules that regulate discipline within the Anglican Communion in Nigeria.
Through the suit, Ibezim is asking the court to clarify how the relevant constitutional and canonical provisions should be applied to his circumstances and the disciplinary measures being pursued against him.
The defendants, whose address was listed as St. Matthias House, Plot 942, Ibrahim Waziri Crescent, Gudu District, Apo, Abuja, have 42 days from the date of service of the originating summons to enter an appearance.
The filing marks a legal challenge to the church leadership’s handling of the matter, with the court expected to consider the questions raised in the originating summons in line with the applicable legal procedures.
Church orders six-month compulsory leave
In a directive dated October 13, 2026, Ndukuba informed Ibezim of the decision to place him on compulsory leave for six months pending the resolution of investigations into allegations involving the archbishop and the Diocese of Awka.
The directive also barred Ibezim from officiating at church activities throughout the period.
The church’s decision was presented as a measure pending investigation, while the subsequent court action challenges aspects of the process and seeks clarification of the rules governing disciplinary proceedings.
The allegations against Ibezim were not detailed in the report on the court filing, and the specific evidence being considered by the church was not disclosed.
The suit therefore places the dispute over the disciplinary process before the Anambra State High Court. No decision by the court on the reliefs sought was reported as of October 16, 2026.
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