On 13 October 2026, the suspended Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, [Alexander Ibezim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Ibezim), lodged a suit at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, challenging his recent suspension by the head of the [Anglican Church of Nigeria](https://anglican- nig.org/), Primate [Henry C. Ndukuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ndukuba). The filing, made through senior advocate B.E.I. Nwofor, seeks a judicial interpretation of the 2020 Constitution and Canons governing disciplinary actions against serving bishops.
**Key facts the court must consider**
- The suspension was imposed on the same day the lawsuit was filed, lasting six months pending investigation into alleged misconduct, including a N2 billion land sale.
- The primate named the Archbishop as the first defendant, with the Dean of the Church, Blessing Enyindah, as the second defendant.
- Ibezim contends that the visitation team led by Enyindah was “illegally constituted” and that any disciplinary measure must follow sections 55, 75‑76 of the 2020 Constitution and sections 22‑28 of Canon XVI.
- He requests an interlocutory injunction to halt any further suspension, removal, retirement, or dismissal until the substantive case is resolved.
**What prompted the legal action?**
The primate announced the suspension to allow “transparent investigations” into accusations that the Archbishop had sold church land for N2 billion. In the same announcement, the Bishop of Aguata, Samuel Ezeofor, was appointed supervising bishop of Awka and coordinating bishop of the Province of the Niger.
**Which provisions are under scrutiny?**
Ibezim’s originating summons asks the court to interpret several constitutional and canonical clauses, including Canons V, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII. He argues that at least one of the ten offences listed under section 1 of Canon XVI must be proven before any disciplinary sanction can be lawfully imposed.
**What relief is being sought?**
The Archbishop seeks a declaration that the prescribed disciplinary procedure must be strictly observed, that the visitation team lacked legal standing, and that the court issue an injunction preventing the Church hierarchy from taking further action against him until the matter is fully adjudicated.
The defendants, whose address is listed as St Matthias House, Plot 942 Ibrahim Waziri Crescent, Gudu District, Apo, Abuja, have 42 days from service of the summons to file an appearance.
**Background**
The suspension follows earlier reports by Premium Times that the primate acted on multiple allegations, notably the alleged N2 billion land transaction. The Church of Nigeria’s internal governance framework requires adherence to its Constitution and Canons before imposing any sanction on senior clergy.
The case highlights the tension between ecclesiastical authority and legal oversight in Nigeria’s largest Christian denomination.