The crisis in the Awka Diocese of the Anglican Communion has deepened after its Chancellor, B. E. Nwofor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), demanded ₦5 billion in damages from the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, over his alleged removal from office.
Nwofor is demanding the withdrawal of the letter announcing his removal, a public apology and compensation over what he described as a libellous publication.
The dispute follows the suspension of Archbishop Alexander Ibezim by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who directed him to proceed on six months’ leave to allow an investigation into allegations against him.
Following the suspension, Ndukuba appointed Ezeofor as administrator of the Awka Diocese.
However, the Awka Diocesan Board, headed by Nwofor, rejected the arrangement, arguing that the diocese’s governing provisions did not recognise the office of a supervising bishop.
The board urged Ezeofor to concentrate on his responsibilities as Bishop of Aguata Diocese.
Ezeofor subsequently announced Nwofor’s immediate removal as chancellor of the Awka Diocese.
Nwofor issues deadlines for apology, payment
In a letter titled “Removal as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion),” Nwofor challenged Ezeofor’s authority to remove him and outlined deadlines for meeting his demands.
He requested that Ezeofor withdraw the disputed letter within one day of receiving his demand.
He also demanded a written public apology within two days, with the apology receiving the same level of publicity across print, electronic and online media.
Nwofor further demanded ₦5 billion in damages within seven days, warning that he would institute legal proceedings if Ezeofor failed to comply.
He described the publication as false and damaging to his reputation, alleging that it had exposed him to public ridicule and contempt.
Nwofor maintained that the office of a supervising bishop was neither recognised nor provided for under the Diocese of Awka’s Constitution and Regulations, 2023.
He said the document contained provisions for administering the diocese during the bishop’s absence and was approved by the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee on September 14, 2023.
According to him, the appointment of an administrator was already being challenged before the Anambra State High Court in Suit No. A/371/2026.
He also cited a pending motion, No. A/1795m/2026, seeking to set aside the appointment letter.
Nwofor argued that the disputed letter was issued in the name of an office that did not exist under the diocese’s governing regulations.
Nwofor insists his tenure remains valid
The senior advocate also cited provisions of the diocese’s constitution setting out circumstances under which a member of its legal team could cease to hold office.
These include death, resignation, loss of the office by virtue of which the person was appointed, bankruptcy, a declaration of insanity by a competent authority, or conviction for certain criminal offences.
Nwofor argued that none of these circumstances applied to him and insisted that his tenure as chancellor remained valid.
“My tenure of office is still subsisting and I remain the incumbent Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion),” he stated.
He further argued that the diocese’s governing provisions empowered Archbishop Ibezim and the chancellor to make arrangements for the administration of the diocese during the archbishop’s absence, including appointing an administrator with the same authority and jurisdiction as the bishop.
Nwofor added that, under his interpretation of the regulations, an appointed administrator would retain that authority during a vacancy until the Primate issued an order governing the diocese’s administration.
He maintained that Ibezim had neither died nor resigned, and therefore argued that the circumstances did not justify the Primate’s intervention in the manner described.
The dispute over the appointment and Nwofor’s removal remains contentious, with the cited court proceedings forming part of the ongoing disagreement over the administration of the Awka Diocese.
