AWKA ANGLICAN DIOCESE CRISIS DEEPENS AS CHANCELLOR DEMANDS N5BN DAMAGES

The crisis within the Awka Anglican Diocese has taken a fresh turn following a reported demand for ₦5 billion in damages by a chancellor, raising the stakes in the ongoing dispute.

The development has drawn attention to the tensions within the diocese, with the massive compensation demand adding a new dimension to the disagreement. The case could have significant financial and reputational implications for the parties involved, depending on how the matter unfolds.

The dispute centres on the leadership of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, following the suspension of Archbishop Alexander Ibezim by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who directed him to proceed on six months’ leave to allow an investigation into allegations against him.

Following Ibezim’s suspension, Bishop Samuel Ezeofor of Aguata Diocese was appointed to oversee the administration of Awka Diocese. However, the appointment has been rejected by the Awka Diocesan Board, which questioned the authority behind the arrangement.

The disagreement escalated when Ezeofor announced the removal of the diocesan Chancellor, Chief Beluolisa Nwofor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, accusing him of undermining the authority of the church’s leadership and disregarding its directives.

Nwofor has rejected the decision, insisting that his appointment remains valid under the Diocese of Awka’s Constitution and Regulations. He argued that Ezeofor lacks the authority to remove him from office and challenged the legal basis for the appointment of a supervising bishop.

In a letter dated October 19, 2026, Nwofor demanded that Ezeofor withdraw the disputed removal letter within 24 hours, issue a public apology within 48 hours and pay ₦5 billion in damages within seven days. He described the letter announcing his removal as libellous and alleged that it had damaged his reputation.

Nwofor warned that he would take legal action if the demands were not met. He also disclosed that the dispute over Ezeofor’s appointment was already before the Anambra State High Court.

The demand has added another layer to the leadership crisis within the diocese, with questions surrounding authority, constitutional provisions and church administration remaining unresolved.

For now, the ₦5 billion is a demand made by Nwofor, not a court-awarded sum. The dispute could develop further depending on the responses of the parties involved and the outcome of the pending legal proceedings.