The public dispute between some members of Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) in Anambra State and the Bishop of the Diocese who is also Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, His Grace, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim, over alleged impropriety in sales of church-owned land without proper authorization has shifted from the pulpit to the gavel.
This week, an Anambra State High Court in Awka barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting Most Reverend Ibezim, over allegations that he sold church-owned land without proper authorization.
The case has raised eyebrows in Anambra which is largely a Christian State. And it has clear implications with legal, spiritual, political, and communal undertones moreso as the Archbishop is the senior brother to the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Onyeka Ibezim.
The Archbishop has been accused of selling the church land without following the provisions of the Diocesan constitution, while the Archbishop said the allegations are false and attempt to tarnish his image.
Already, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry C. Ndukuba, has set up a visitation panel to look into sales of land in the Diocese of Awka and it held its sittings at St. Mathias House, Gudu, Abuja.
A letter inviting those to appear before the panel and signed by Venerable Paul Dajur, General Secretary, Church of Nigeria, simply said: “I have been directed by the Primate of All Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, to write formally to invite you to appear before the Visitation Panel on Awka Land Matters, as part of its sitting scheduled for Friday, 29 August and Saturday, 30 August 2025. Proceedings shall commence at 10.00 am daily.”
The letter encouraged the invitees to avail themselves “of this opportunity, both as a mark of honour to the Primate and as a gesture of respect to the panel that has been duly charged to carry out this important task.”
Those invited include Archbishop Ibezim, Chief G. Tagbo, SAN, of Ike Ike Associates, who wrote the petition to EFCC; Chief Echezona Bonti Onuigbu, who commissioned Chief Tagbo to write the petition; Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka, Hon Justice O. J. Okeke (rtd); Diocesan Secretary, Barr. Chris Adimora and others.
On Tuesday September 9, 2025, Justice F.I. Aniukwu granted an interim order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining, or harassing Bishop Ibezim pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
The Bishop, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria B.E.I. Nwofor, filed the application under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules. His legal team argued that the threat of arrest posed an imminent violation of his right to personal liberty.
The court order is valid for 21 days, after which both parties are expected to present arguments before a final ruling is delivered.
Legal analysts say this is a textbook example of preemptive litigation — a common tactic used by high-profile individuals to seek judicial cover when under investigation.
The case began with a petition submitted to the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate on July 28 by Chief G. Tagbo (SAN), acting on behalf of Echezona Onuigbo, a member of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.
The petition accused Bishop Ibezim of selling church land without obtaining the mandatory approval of the Board of Trustees. The complainants allege that the land in question was part of long-held church property, and its disposal was done secretly, with proceeds allegedly unaccounted for.
Church insiders say the transaction became public when community members noticed construction equipment on the disputed land, prompting questions about whether the property had been leased, sold, or encroached upon.
To understand why this case has become so heated, one must understand the governance structure of the Anglican Church.
In Nigeria, Diocesan properties are typically held in trust by a Board of Trustees. The Bishop is considered the spiritual head but is not, by law, the sole custodian of landed assets. Major transactions – including the sale of land — usually require board resolutions, synod approval, and sometimes provincial clearance.
This layered process is designed to protect church assets from unilateral decisions, ensuring that land, which often represents decades of donations from parishioners, is not sold off without broad consent.
Reactions within Awka Diocese have been mixed. Some parishioners defend the bishop, describing him as a reform-minded leader committed to expanding the church’s mission.
Mrs. Ngozi Umeh, a choir matron at St. Faith Cathedral, told our reporter:
“Bishop Ibezim has built more parishes and schools than any bishop before him. If he sold that land, maybe it was for development projects. People should not rush to judge.”
But others insist that the matter is not about the bishop’s character but about accountability.
“Even if the bishop has good intentions, process must be followed,” said Chidi Ezenwa, a youth leader. “Church property belongs to all of us. If the right approvals were not given, we deserve to know why.”
The involvement of the EFCC has raised eyebrows. Traditionally, the commission is known for tackling financial crimes like fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement. Its foray into intra-church disputes signals a growing willingness to treat mismanagement of communal property as an economic crime.
A senior EFCC investigator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told this reporter: “Once we receive a petition alleging misappropriation or fraudulent sale of property, we are duty-bound to investigate. The fact that the property belongs to a church does not exempt it from scrutiny. Religious organizations handle billions of naira — they must be accountable.”
Beyond the courtroom, this dispute is revealing fault lines within Awka Diocese. Insiders whisper about factional struggles between the bishop’s loyalists and a group of influential lay members who feel marginalized in decision-making.
Some analysts believe the petition may have been fueled partly by power politics — a way to weaken the bishop’s position ahead of the next diocesan synod, where leadership decisions and budgets are debated.
Dr. Emeka Nwafor, a sociologist specializing in religion and politics, notes: “When church governance disputes reach the EFCC, it tells you that internal conflict resolution mechanisms have failed. It also shows that the church is not immune to the same elite struggles that shape Nigerian politics.”
Legal scholars say this case could set an important precedent for how Nigerian courts handle disputes involving religious leaders.
Prof. Ifeoma Odinkemelu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Faculty of Law explains: “This is not the first time a church leader is seeking judicial protection against arrest, but the courts must strike a balance between protecting fundamental rights and ensuring that no one is above the law. If misappropriation is proven, the bishop can still be held accountable.”
Land disputes are not new to Nigeria’s religious institutions. In Lagos, several churches have faced lawsuits from community members over alleged encroachment. In Enugu, Catholic priests have clashed with traditional rulers over mission school lands reclaimed after decades of government control.
These disputes are often emotionally charged because church land is seen not just as real estate but as part of the community’s spiritual heritage.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications.
- For the Anglican Church: It may prompt dioceses across Nigeria to tighten internal controls on land transactions, requiring more documentation and board oversight.
- For the EFCC: It could either validate or limit its ability to intervene in church governance issues.
- For Parishioners: It may embolden church members to demand transparency and financial reporting.
For now, Bishop Ibezim remains free, shielded by the court’s interim order. But the real battle lies ahead, when the substantive suit will be heard and the EFCC will have an opportunity to present its evidence.
Whatever the outcome, this case has already sparked a wider conversation about transparency, accountability, and the delicate intersection of faith and law in Nigeria.
Written with additional reports from Geencee.com