The leadership crisis rocking the Awka Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has deepened, as the diocesan Chancellor, Barr. BEI Nwofor, has rejected his purported removal by Bishop Samuel Ezeofor.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Dr Henry Ndukuba, had last week directed the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Dr Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, to proceed on a six-month suspension over allegations concerning the sale of church properties involving his name. In his place, the Primate appointed the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt Revd Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese for the duration of the suspension.
In his first attempt to take over the administration of the diocese, Ezeofor announced the removal of Nwofor as Chancellor of the Diocesan Board, allegedly for siding with the suspended Bishop Ibezim.
It was also learnt that Ezeofor planned to move to Awka later this week to assert his authority in the diocese. However, the move appears to have suffered a setback, as the Diocesan Board, led by Nwofor, has rejected his actions.
In a letter responding to his purported removal by Ezeofor, Nwofor insisted that the church’s laws did not recognise the office of Supervising Bishop, which he said invalidated the authority under which Ezeofor issued the letter removing him as Chancellor.
Nwofor also took issue with what he described as unprintable words used against him in the letter, demanding an apology from the bishop.
In his letter, Nwofor said:
“Your letter dated Saturday, October 17, 2026, entitled ‘Removal as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Diocese)’, is libellous, as it was deliberately designed to tarnish my reputation. Your Lordship has no right to create your own letterhead with the inscription ‘Office of the Supervising Bishop’, purporting it to be the letterhead of the Diocese of Awka, and proceed to use such letterhead to write to me.
“The Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) has its own constitution, namely, the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023, which governs the affairs of the diocese. It must be emphatically stated that the purported ‘Office of the Supervising Bishop’, Diocese of Awka, is unknown to and unrecognised by the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023.
“Your Lordship cannot write any letter in the name of an office which does not exist. The Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023, has ample, clear and unambiguous provisions on the administration of the diocese during the absence of the bishop, which was approved by the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee on September 14, 2023.
“Your Lordship is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata (Anglican Communion) and does not have the power to appoint or remove me from office as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion).
“Your Lordship may appoint or remove the Chancellor of the Diocese of Aguata but certainly acted ultra vires your power by writing and publishing your said letter purporting to remove me as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion). The purported letter of removal is, therefore, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.”
Nwofor further insisted that, as Chancellor of the diocese, he had the authority to appoint a new administrator in the event of the death or resignation of the bishop, after which the Primate would begin preparations for the election of a new bishop.
He argued that, in the present case, the bishop had neither resigned nor died, and maintained that the circumstances did not confer on Ezeofor the authority to remove Ibezim or himself as Chancellor.
Citing what he described as libellous statements in Ezeofor’s letter, Nwofor demanded its retraction and an apology, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action.
“Take notice that if you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with these demands, I will institute an action in court against your Lordship to obtain redress. Your Lordship is not above the law,” he said.
Anglican Church crisis: Diocesan chancellor rejects removal by supervising bishop, demands apology