Crisis of biblical proportions has erupted in the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) following the alleged forgery of the signature of the Chancellor, Hon. Justice Sir O.J. Okeke, in a controversial land sale.
The scandal, which has already consumed top officials, has now attracted the attention of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba.
A memo sighted by our correspondent reveals that the Primate has waded into the matter, setting up a high-powered panel to audit and investigate the “unfortunate developments” in Awka Diocese.
The memo reads in part:“The Primate has responded by setting up a Panel of 4 eminent judges, a Bishop and a Venerable as Secretary to audit and investigate the unfortunate developments in Awka Diocese. They are currently sitting in Abuja and will proceed to Awka soonest. The Primate travelled and will be back this week. I believe the appropriate steps are being taken to redeem the wholesomeness of the Church of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Justice Okeke, the Chancellor of the Diocese, has escalated the battle by reportedly petitioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting that only a proper investigation by the anti-graft body can unearth those behind the forgery.
In a strongly-worded letter dated August 21, 2025, the Chancellor rejected an invitation to a “Reconciliation Meeting” convened at Our Saviour’s Church, Awka, describing it as a “charade.”
“Forgery is a criminal offence and cannot be resolved by the so-called ‘Reconciliation Committee,’” Justice Okeke declared. “Since I have been accused of writing a petition to the EFCC, it is my view that the EFCC should be allowed to investigate the allegation and determine who forged my signature in the land sale.”
He accused the diocesan leadership of shielding the culprits, while describing the Emergency Diocesan Board Meeting of August 18 as a circus where non-members were smuggled in, and he himself branded a “traitor” and accused of “dementia.”
The letter reads,: Dear Rev Canon K. E. N Chukwukamma
I have seen your notice inviting me to a purported Diocesan “Reconciliation” meeting scheduled for today Thursday, 21st August, 2025 at Our Saviour’s Church, Awka, time 10:00am.
I regret that I cannot subject my humble self to further vituperation after what transpired on Monday, 18th August, 2025 at the so- called Emergency Diocesan Board Meeting held at Mount Zion International Retreat and Resource Centre, Kamali Layout Awka for the following reasons:
1) It is very elementary in both Igbo native law and English law that one cannot be a judge in his own cause.
2) In attendance at the said meeting of Monday 18th August 2025 presided by His Grace and wife were several persons who are not members of the Diocesan Board.
3) His Grace allowed his praise singers to speak several times after himself and his wife poured abuses on my person, that I am a traitor and suffering from dementia.
4) I insisted that I must be heard, His Grace grudgingly allowed me to speak for a few minutes.
5) My contention that my signature was forged in the sale of Diocesan plots of land was not allowed to be commented on.
6)His Grace quickly announced the names of his praise singers and foot soldiers as members of the purported Diocesan “Reconciliation” Committee and inaugurated same.
7) I refused to be part of this CHARADE.
8) We all should know that forgery is a criminal offence and cannot be resolved by the so -called “Reconciliation” Committee.
9) Since I have been accused of writing a petition to the EFCC, it is my view that the EFCC should be allowed to investigate the allegation that I wrote the petition and who forged my signature in the sale of the Diocesan plots of land.
THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE.
Thanks.
HON. JUSTICE SIR O.J OKEKE
CHANCELLOR DIOCESE OF AWKA (Anglican Communion)
21st August 2025″
The once-hallowed corridors of Awka Diocese have now become a battlefield. The Chancellor has dug in, the Registrar has reportedly been sacked, and the Primate has ordered an audit panel—signaling that the scandal has gone beyond Awka to shake the very foundations of the Church of Nigeria.
As of press time, the Diocese maintained through its Publicist, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, that Archbishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, had been cleared of allegations of diverting land-sale proceeds into his private account. The Board, in its resolutions, dismissed the petition against the Archbishop as “false, baseless, and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Church and the Archbishop.”
But with EFCC operatives watching, a Primate’s panel sitting, and the Chancellor refusing to back down, many fear the Diocese may be heading for its fiercest storm yet—an Armageddon in Awka.
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