A fresh controversy has emerged in the Anglican Diocese of Awka after a graphic shared by Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, claimed that the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, officiated at a service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, despite a six-month leave directive issued by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria.
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The graphic, produced by a page styled “For The Love Of Anambra,” also claimed that police personnel and members of a state-backed security outfit were present during the service.
It stated: “Archbishop Ibezim officiated the service today at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka. However, the service was marked by a police siege and the presence of the Udogachi security outfit, led by his younger brother Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Deputy Governor of Anambra state.”
Odinkalu shared the graphic on his X handle on October 19, 2026, with the accompanying words, “Archbishop of #MpuNiti Province.”
However, the substantive allegations concerning the security presence were contained in the graphic he shared and should not be presented as Odinkalu’s independent account of what occurred at the cathedral.
The graphic did not provide photographs showing the alleged deployment, identify any police officer or security operative present, state the number of personnel involved, or explain what action any of them allegedly took during the service.
The security outfit referred to in the graphic as “Udogachi” is understood to be Udo Ga-Achi, an Igbo expression meaning “peace shall reign,” one of the security structures established by the Anambra State Government alongside Agunechemba.
Archbishop of #MpuNiti Province https://t.co/86PaN1KgZT
— Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) October 19, 2026
The state security formations are separate from the Nigeria Police Force and operate under the powers granted to them by their establishing legal framework.
The development comes amid an escalating dispute within the Church of Nigeria over the status of Archbishop Ibezim following a directive by the Primate, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ndukuba directed Ibezim to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect, explaining that the measure was an administrative step intended to allow what he described as a fair and impartial investigation into allegations concerning the administration of the Diocese.
The Primate expressly stated that the leave was not a disciplinary sanction.
The directive barred Ibezim from officiating at activities of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger and the Diocese of Awka during the six-month period and required him to hand over his responsibilities immediately.
The Primate also appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
The dispute has included allegations concerning the unauthorised sale of church land said to be worth more than ₦2 billion. Those allegations remain contested and have not been established by a court.
On the same date as the Primate’s letter, Ibezim approached the High Court of Anambra State in Awka in Suit No. A/371/2026 against the Primate and the Dean of the Church.
In the action, the Archbishop is seeking declarations and injunctions challenging what he contends are attempts to suspend, remove or compel him to leave office without compliance with the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria.
He also filed a motion on notice in Suit No. A/1759M/2026 seeking interlocutory injunctions restraining the defendants from issuing or enforcing any letter of suspension or removal pending the determination of the substantive action.
Ibezim’s case is that the Church’s Constitution and Canons require formal charges, Articles of Presentment and a trial before the appropriate ecclesiastical body before disciplinary sanctions can be imposed on a serving bishop.
He also contends that the Primate lacks unilateral authority to suspend, remove or retire him from office.
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