By Our Correspondent
No fewer than 12 priests in the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Anambra State, are reportedly facing disciplinary sanctions over their alleged roles in the crisis rocking the diocese.
According to privileged information obtained by our correspondent, the priests have been accused of complicity in the crisis in one way or another, with church authorities reportedly considering disciplinary measures against those found to have contributed to the situation.
A reliable source told our Correspondent, “I authoritatively learnt that three priests have been suspended for attending secret meetings with the embattled Archbishop. They are likely to be demoted when the suspension elapses.One of them, a Canon in Ifite Awka. ”
The crisis, which has attracted considerable public attention, followed allegations of financial impropriety, including the alleged unauthorised sale of church land reportedly valued at N2 billion, as well as other administrative and governance-related disagreements within the diocese.
The situation escalated on October 13, 2026, when the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, directed the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave to allow investigations into the allegations and restore peace to the diocese.
The Primate subsequently appointed the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
However, the decision was rejected by the Awka Diocesan Board, which declared its continued support for Ibezim and questioned the Primate’s authority to take the action.
The board also threatened that the diocese could withdraw from the Church of Nigeria if what it described as interference in its affairs continued.
The development has further widened divisions within the diocese, even as the church leadership makes efforts to restore peace and confidence among Anglican faithful.
Against this backdrop, the Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger and Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr Samuel Ezeofor, has urged Anglican faithful, particularly those in Awka Diocese, not to be discouraged or lose hope following recent developments that have bedevilled the Communion.
The prelate urged them to have faith in God by looking up to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of their faith, assuring them that the church would soon bounce back.
Ezeofor gave the charge on Saturday in Awka, Anambra State, while speaking with newsmen shortly after the Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State (APRAS), an annual prayer conference that attracts the nine dioceses under the Province to seek God’s face and blessings.
He regretted that the Anglican Church in the Province had recently been in the media for the wrong reasons but expressed confidence that God would continue to purge and cleanse His church of all forms of impurity.
He said, “My message to everyone is that we, as human beings, may stumble, but God is still on the throne.
“Our church may be in the media for the wrong reasons, but the devil will continue to be put to shame.
“This church belongs to God. Yes, it is human beings who run it, and it is also a human system, but God encourages us to look up to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.
“That things are not going the way we want has not made God to abdicate His throne.
“You are going to see, in a very short while, things are going to turn around.
“So, those who are discouraged should know that God is still on the throne and let them look up to Him. When things turn around, they will also rejoice.”
On the theme of the prayer rally, “Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High”, Ezeofor, who is also the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, said prevailing societal challenges and the need for Christians to take prayer seriously to enjoy God’s protection informed the choice of the theme.
“When you look around, you will see the happenings. We recognise that if we all dwell in the secret place of the Most High, God will save us from all the problems we are passing through.
“There are all kinds of troubles and tragedies all around. But those who dwell in God’s secret place will be spared. We need to remind our parishioners that this is the demand of God for the hour,” he added.
Earlier in his message, the Archdeacon of Onitsha South Archdeaconry, Diocese on the Niger, Ven. Dr Emma Ezeugo, advised parishioners to devote time to praying for the church, warning against what he described as “AI prayer”, which he insisted must be discarded.
“God will spare us from various forms of tragedies when we devote quality time to pray,” he stressed.
Among the bishops who graced the spiritual exercise were the Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor; Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prosper Ama; Bishop of Niger East Diocese, Rt. Rev. Obiora Uzochukwu; and Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi.
