The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has approached the Anambra State High Court in Awka to challenge the disciplinary procedures initiated against him by the leadership of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
Ibezim is seeking a court order restraining the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, from suspending or removing him from his ecclesiastical offices.
The suit, marked A/371/2026, challenges the legality of the procedures adopted by the church leadership in handling disciplinary matters involving a serving diocesan bishop.
At the centre of the legal dispute is a visitation team constituted by the Primate to the Diocese of Awka through a letter dated June 17, 2026. Enyindah was appointed chairman of the team.
In his originating summons, Ibezim is asking the court to interpret the relevant provisions of the Church of Nigeria’s Constitution and Canons governing disciplinary proceedings against a serving bishop.
He specifically cited Sections 55, 75(1)–(5) and 76(1)–(5), as well as Sections 22, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of Canon XVI, arguing that these provisions prescribe the procedures to be followed in disciplinary cases involving diocesan bishops.
The archbishop has also filed a motion on notice seeking an interlocutory injunction to prevent the defendants from taking further steps to suspend, remove, retire or dismiss him while the substantive issues in the case remain before the court.
The application, brought under relevant provisions of the Anambra State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and Section 6(6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, seeks to restrain Ndukuba and Enyindah from issuing or delivering any letter affecting his positions as Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka.
The proposed injunction also seeks to cover church organs, committees, officials, clergy, bishops, employees, agents and representatives acting on behalf of the defendants.
Through the legal action, Ibezim is asking the court to preserve his positions pending the determination of the substantive questions raised in the suit.
The case is expected to address the interpretation and application of the Church of Nigeria’s constitutional and canonical provisions relating to the discipline of a serving bishop.
The court documents identify Ibezim as the plaintiff/applicant, while Ndukuba and Enyindah are listed as the defendants/respondents.
The legal action comes amid developments surrounding the church’s disciplinary process involving the Awka diocesan bishop.
As of the information contained in the court documents cited in the report, no judicial determination of the issues raised in the suit has been established.
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