It specifically disputed the Primate’s reliance on Section 29(1) of the church’s 2020 Constitution and Canons, maintaining that the provision did not authorise the compulsory leave directive or the appointment of another bishop to assume the responsibilities of the Awka Diocese and Province of the Niger during the period.

The Board further argued that the decision raised constitutional concerns under Sections 36(5) and 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. It maintained that the presumption of innocence should apply to Archbishop Ibezim in relation to the allegations against him and questioned the restriction preventing him from participating in church activities.

The communiqué also disputed the Primate’s stated reason that the compulsory leave was intended to facilitate an impartial investigation into the affairs of the diocese and promote peace and reconciliation.

According to the Board, the Primate had previously established two separate panels to investigate allegations against Archbishop Ibezim. The first, headed by Justice Babashola Ogunade, was constituted through a letter dated August 13, 2025, while the second, headed by Archbishop Blessing Enyindah, was established by a letter dated June 17, 2026.

The Board alleged that both panels had completed their assignments and submitted their reports to the Primate, but that the findings had not been released.

It argued that the withholding of the reports violated Sections 75 and 76 of the Church of Nigeria’s 2020 Constitution and Canons, which it said prescribe procedures for submitting the findings and recommendations of such panels to the Episcopal Synod for consideration, with subsequent processes involving the Standing Committee and General Synod.

The Board maintained that the church’s established procedures should be followed in resolving the dispute rather than imposing measures that could affect the Archbishop’s position before the relevant processes had been concluded.

Reaffirming its position on the leadership of the diocese, the Board declared that Archbishop Ibezim remained the Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and should continue performing the duties attached to both offices.

It also expressed confidence in his integrity, competence, commitment and ability to lead the diocese, while insisting that Awka Diocese remained peaceful, united and progressive.

On the financial allegations surrounding the dispute, the Board categorically stated that no money belonging to the Diocese of Awka had been missing, stolen, misused or misappropriated by Archbishop Ibezim.

It added that, according to its understanding of the available information, neither of the two investigative panels established by the Primate had indicted the Archbishop for financial misconduct.

The Board also commended Archbishop Ibezim for what it described as significant infrastructural development in the diocese, urging him to continue his work without distraction.

Turning its attention to Bishop Ezeofor’s appointment, the Board warned against what it described as interference in the affairs of Awka Diocese. It urged the Aguata diocesan bishop to concentrate on his responsibilities in Aguata and cautioned against any action it considered capable of destabilising the diocese.

The appointment was made in disregard of pending litigations in Suit No A/Misc 446/2025: The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed on 4th September, 2025; Suit No A/Misc. 494/2026: The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS Inspector General of Police and othes filed on the 2nd October, 2026 and Suit No A/371/2026 – The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba and Anor filed on 13th October, 2026. These suits are still pending for determination by the High Court of Anambra State and the subject matters of these suits are the various allegations made against His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim

His Grace, The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor and many members of the Church of Nigeria are fully aware of the pendency in court of these cases and are duty bound in law to refrain from doing any thing whatsoever to interfere with the subject matters of the suits until the determination of the cases by the court. The matters are sub judice.

To the knowledge of the Primate and His Lordship,The Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor, there are subsisting orders of injunction on the subject matter of the allegations against His Grace,The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim made by the High Court of Anambra state on the 9th day of September, 2025 which restrains the EFCC and Prince Echezona Bonti Onuigbo and which was renewed by the consent of the parties on 14th October, 2025.

There are also pendintg motions of injunctiion in suit No A/371/2026 – The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim VS The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba and Anor seeking to restrain the Primate from writing and issuing any letter of suspension or any further letter which will have the effect of truncating the continuity in office of His Grace, the Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD as the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese Anglican Communion.

The Primate and Rt Revd Ezeofor are fully aware that no one is above the law irrespective of his ot her position or status, and ought to be law abiding and respect the court where the allegations against Archbishop Ibezim are pending for determination. They are also aware that it is unlawful and contemptious to disregard the court and take the law into their hands by actions which have the effect of preempting or anticipating the decisions of the court such as the letter under refrence.

Furthermore, there is no provision in both the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 and the Constitution and Regulation of the Diocese of Awka 2023 which empowered, mandate or authorised the Primate, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba to direct Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on compulsory leave for Six Months or any period at all or to appoint any Bishop as the supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger to assume and exercise all episcopal responsibilities and oversight of the Diocese of Awka and the Province of the Niger during the period of the puported leave. Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 cited by the Primate in his letter of 13th October, 2026 is inapplicable as it contains nothing empowering the Primate to force a fellow Bishop and Archbishop to proceed on compulsory leave and handover his duties to another Bishop and precluding the Bishop from officiating in any activities of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), of the Niger Province and Awka Diocese.

Such draconain, oppressive, vindictive and grossly unjust decisions by the Primate against Archbishop Ibezim violates section 36 (5) the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which presumes any one accused or charged with a criminal offence as innocent until proven guilty. Also, by banning him from officiating in any activities of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), of the Niger Pronvince and Diocese of Awka, the Primate violated section 38 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which gave Archbishop Ibezim the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to propagate his religion in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

The reason given in the letter that the compulsory leave against Archbishop Ibezim is meant to “facilitate impartial enquiry into the state of affairs of your Diocese to promote peace and reconciliation”is a ruse because the Primate failed to disclose that he had earlier constituted two distinct panels of inquiry for the same purpose of investigating allegations made against Archbishop Ibezim and the two panels submitted reports to him after their work which he has withheld and refused to release uptill date.

The 1st panel was constituted by the Primate’s letter dated Wednesday, 13th August, 2025 headed by Honourable Justice Babashola Ogunade and the 2nd one was constituted by his letter dated Wednesday, 17th June, 2026 headed His Grace Archbishop Blessing Enyindah.

By withholding the reports of the said two panels that investigated Archbishop Ibezim, the Primate violated section 75(3), (4) and (5) and section 76(3), (4) and (5) of the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 which mandatorily require him to submit the findings and recommendations of the panels to the Episcopal Synod for consideration which may after the consideration of the reports review, modify, reject, or adopt the recommendations which shall be subject to the approval of the standing committee and the approval of the Standing Committee shall be subject to ratification by the General Synod whose decision on the subject shall be final and binding.

Having noted the foregoing unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful and unjust appointment made by the Primate, the Board unequivocally rejects it.

The Board categorically affirms that Archbishop Ibezim remains in his position as Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop, Province of the Niger Anglican Communion and should continue to discharge the duties of his office.

The Board hereby expresses its total confidence and trust in the honesty, intergrity, competence, ability and devotion to duty of Arcbishop Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim in the discharge of his duties.

The Board hereby affirms that Awka Diocese is peaceful, united and progressive.

The Board unequivocally affirms that no money of Awka Diocese is missing, stolen, misused, or misappropriated by Archbishop Ibezim. Even the two panels set up by the Primate have not disclosed any indictment of financial misdeed by Archbishop Ibezim.

The Board commends His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD for the massive infrastructural developments compleated in Awka Diocese and urges him to continue with his good work and not to be distracted.

The Board emphatically warns that it will not accept any interference with the affairs of the Diocese of Awka by Rt Revd Ezeofor and urge him to concentrate on his work as Bishop of Aguata Diocese and not to be used as an instrument to destabilise or foment trouble in our peaceful Diocese of Awka.