From Allafrica · · 2m
Nigeria Diocese Threatens Church Exit
Diocese of Awka vows to leave Church of Nigeria after archbishop suspended.
In brief
Diocese of Awka vows to leave Church of Nigeria after archbishop suspended. Diocese of Awka threatens to withdraw from Church of Nigeria and join Church of England over Archbishop Ibezim's suspension. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Diocese Rejects Suspension
The Board of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, rejected the six month suspension of its Bishop, Alexander Ibezim, by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba.
Suspension Allegations
The suspension, according to the primate, was to allow for transparent investigations into allegations against the archbishop and the diocese, including selling church land for N2 billion.
New Supervising Bishop
Mr Ndukuba also announced the appointment of the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, Samuel Ezeofor, as the supervising bishop of the church's Diocese of Awka and coordinating bishop of the Province of the Niger.
Diocese Threatens Exit
The Board threatened to withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and rejoin the Church of England if the decisions were not discontinued.
Board's Legal Concerns
The Board argued that the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 and the Constitution and Regulations of Awka Diocese 2023 did not authorise the Primate to direct Mr Ibezim to…
Court Cases
The Board referenced three separate lawsuits in different courts concerning the allegations against Mr Ibezim, including one with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Constitutional Violations
The Board contended that the suspension violated Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, guaranteeing presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Religious Rights
The Board also alleged the suspension infringed on Mr Ibezim's right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Section 38(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Investigation Delays
The Board claimed the primate initially constituted two panels to investigate allegations but later withheld their reports.
Financial Allegations
The Board insisted no money of Awka Diocese is missing, stolen, misused, or misappropriated by Archbishop Ibezim.
Diocese Vows Legal Action
The Board vowed to invoke the law and involve law enforcement agencies if Messrs Ndukuba and Ezeofor continued to interfere in the diocese's affairs.
The main idea
Diocese of Awka threatens to withdraw from Church of Nigeria and join Church of England over Archbishop Ibezim's suspension.
