Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have stormed Awka, the Anambra State capital, in a bid to arrest the Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace, Rev. Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim, over allegations of illegal land transactions.
A reliable source with direct knowledge of the matter disclosed that the Archbishop is currently evading arrest while his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Nwofor, is making moves to stall the process.
The EFCC has been in town to pick him up. He is relying on Nwofor (SAN) to forestall the arrest. The Archbishop is in hiding while his lawyer is shopping for an ex-parte order to restrain the EFCC,” the source said.
It was further gathered that Nwofor had earlier made an unsuccessful attempt to secure an urgent hearing for the application on Thursday, ahead of the Friday public holiday. The legal team has also reportedly filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit on behalf of the cleric.
The allegations against Archbishop Ibezim include the embezzlement of church funds through the sale of church lands. Specifically, he is accused of disposing of a property near Ngozika Estate, Awka, allegedly sold to transport giant in Anambra.
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