The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has approached the Anambra State High Court in Awka, seeking an order restraining the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, from suspending or removing him from office.
Ibezim, in an originating summons and a motion on notice filed before the High Court, is challenging the procedure allegedly adopted by the church leadership in handling disciplinary matters involving a serving diocesan bishop.
The suit No.A/371/2026, instituted against Ndukuba and Enyindah, questions the legality of the visitation team constituted by the Primate to the Diocese of Awka through a letter dated June 17, 2026.
Enyindah, who is the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, was named as the chairman of the visitation team.
In his originating summons, Ibezim is seeking a declaration that the procedures for disciplining a serving bishop of a diocese in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) are prescribed by Sections 55, 75(1)–(5) and 76(1)–(5), as well as Sections 22, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of Canon XVI of the church’s Constitution and Canons.
The archbishop is asking the court to determine the applicable constitutional and canonical provisions governing disciplinary proceedings against a serving diocesan bishop.
In a separate motion on notice, brought under relevant provisions of the Anambra State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and Section 6(6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, Ibezim is seeking an interlocutory injunction against the defendants.
Specifically, he is asking the court to restrain Ndukuba and Enyindah, either personally or through any organ, committee or subordinate official of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), from issuing, signing, serving or delivering any letter suspending, removing, retiring or dismissing him from his offices as Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka.
The proposed order, as contained in the motion, also seeks to cover other church officials, clergy, bishops, workers, agents and representatives acting on behalf of the defendants.
The application is intended to preserve Ibezim’s position pending the determination of the substantive legal questions raised in the suit.
The court documents identify Ibezim as the plaintiff/applicant and Ndukuba and Enyindah as the defendants/respondents.
The suit places before the court questions concerning the interpretation and application of the Church of Nigeria’s Constitution and Canons in relation to the discipline of a serving bishop.
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