By Michael Ovat-Awka
The last has not been heard of the leadership crisis rocking the Awka Diocese of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, as the Chancellor of the Diocese, Barr BEI Nwofor, has rejected his purported removal by Bishop Samuel Ezeofor.
Primate of the Church, Most Revd Dr Henry Ndukuba had last week ordered the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Dr Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim to proceed on six months suspension, over allegation bothering on sales of church properties involving his name. In his stead, the Primate named the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt Revd Samuel Ezeofor as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese within the period.
Ezeofor in his first attempt at taking over the diocese announced the removal of the Chancellor of the Diocesan Board of the church, Nwofor for allegedly siding with suspended Archbishop Ibezim. It was also learnt that Ezeofor planned to move to Awka later this week to stamp his authority in the diocese, but this appears to have suffered a stillbirth as the Diocesan Board led by Nwofor has rejected him.
In a letter of reply to his suspension by Ezeofor, Nwofor insisted there was no office known to the church’s law as Supervising Bishop, on which strength he wrote the letter removing him as Chancellor. Nwofor also resisted the Bishop, asking for an apology for using unprintable words on his in the said suspension letter.
In his letter, Nwofor said: “Your letter dated Saturday, October 17, 2026 entitled “removal as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Diocese)” is libelous as it was deliberately designed to tarnish my reputation. Your Lordship has no right to form your own letterhead with the inscription “Office Of The Supervising Bishop, purporting it to be the letterhead of the Diocese of Awka and proceed to use such letterhead to write to me.
“The Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) has its own constitution, namely, The Constitution and Regulations of the — Diocese of Awka, 2023, which governs the affairs of the Diocese. It must be emphatically stated that the purported “Office Of The Supervising Bishop” Diocese of Awka, is unknown to, and unrecognised by, the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023.
“Your Lordship cannot write any letter in
the name of an office which does not exist. The Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka, 2023, has ample, clear, and unambiguous provisions on the administration of the Diocese during the absence of the Bishop, which was approved by the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee on 14th September, 2023.
“Your Lordship is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata (Anglican Communion) and does not have the power to appoint or remove me from office as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion).
“Your Lordship may appoint or remove the Chancellor of the Diocese of Aguata but certainly acted ultra vires your power by writing and publishing your said Ietter purporting to remove me as the Chancellor of Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion). The purported letter of removal is, therefore, null and void and of no legal effect, whatsoever.”
Nwofor insisted that as Chancellor of the Diocese, it is his right to appoint a new administrator in the case of death of the bishop of the diocese or resignation, after which the Primate begins preparation for election of a new bishop, stating that in this case, the Bishop neither resigned nor was dead, striping them of any powers to remove Bishop Ibezim, or himself as the Chancellor.
Referring to the libelous nature of the publications made against him by Bishop Ezeofor, Nwofor demanded for retraction of letter, apologies to him, failure of which would result in a legal suit.
“Take notice that if you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with these demands, I will institute an action in court against your Lordship to obtain redress. Your Lordship is not above the law.”
