Church of Nigeria faces crisis over bishop suspension

A leadership dispute within the Church of Nigeria has escalated into legal and institutional threats following the six-month suspension of a senior cleric. The Primate of the church, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, suspended the Archbishop over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety, specifically involving the unauthorized sale of church land valued at N2 billion.

In response, the Board of the Diocese of Awka has rejected the suspension of Bishop Alexander Ibezim and the appointment of a supervising bishop to oversee the diocese. The board issued a communiqué stating that if the Primate continues to interfere in diocesan affairs, the diocese will withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and rejoin the Church of England.

Legal action has also been initiated at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspended leadership contends that the disciplinary measures violate fundamental rights and that due process was not followed, rendering the suspension null and void.