That the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) recently suspended His Grace, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim the Anglican Bishop of Awka and Metropolitan Archbishop of Niger for six months is no longer news. It was reported that His Grace, The Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, directed Ibezim to proceed on leave with immediate effect pending investigations into allegations of happenings in the Awka diocese.

In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ndukuba also announced the appointment of the Bishop of the Diocese of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence.

Although the letter did not specify the nature of the allegations against Ibezim or provide details of the findings contained in the visitation team’s report, it was gathered that Archbishop Ibezim was accused of acting in some ways without authorization by the church.

In reaction, Ibezim, was said to have approached the Anambra State High Court to challenge the procedures adopted by the leadership of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in investigating allegations involving him and the diocese. He instituted the suit against the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, challenging the constitution of a visitation team and the procedures for disciplinary proceedings against a serving bishop

Most Anglicans were shocked when the news went round that the Bishop went to secular court without proceeding on the 6-months leave, and that he himself as Bishop does not give his priests and workers fair hearing. If that is true then he must be told the truth and the truth is that he will lose on both law and morality, according to learned lawyers.

As a fellow Anglican, I will urge our Lord Bishop to hearken to this honest legal advice to him and to other Bishops like him as provided by some senior lawyers

1. On Going To Court Without Exhausting Church Remedy

In Nigerian Law, there is a principle called EXHAUSTION OF DOMESTIC REMEDIES.

The Supreme Court has settled this in many cases:

– A.K. Bello v. Attorney General Oyo State

– *The Registered Trustees of the Church of Nigeria v. Archbishop Adebayo Akinde & Ors

– Rev. Father Mbaka v. Catholic Diocese

The position of the law is clear: The High Court will not entertain a matter from a voluntary association like the Church if the person has not first exhausted all internal remedies provided in its Constitution.

What are the internal remedies for Archbishop Ibezim?

1. Submit to the administrative leave as directed under Section 29(1)

2. Respond to the Visitation Panel Report

3. Wait for the Investigation Panel’s outcome

4. If found guilty by Episcopal Tribunal, he has a Right of Appeal to the House of Bishops and finally to the General Synod.

If he rushes to the High Court now, what will the Primate’s lawyers do?

They will file a Preliminary Objection that:

a) The matter is not justiciable – it is an ecclesiastical/administrative matter of the Church, not a contract of employment – Courts don’t interfere. See Bishop Okorocha v. Church of Nigeria.

b) The Suit is PREMATURE – No cause of action has accrued yet. He has not been removed, only asked to step aside for investigation. There is nothing for the court to reverse yet.

c) He did not exhaust internal remedies.

Likely Outcome: The High Court will strike out or dismiss the case at preliminary stage. It will tell him “Go back to your Primate.” It has happened to many Bishops before. He will waste money, time, and embarrass the Church publicly.

The only exception where court intervenes immediately is if there is breach of fundamental human rights – threat to life, seizure of property. A 6-month leave is not that.

2. THE LAW OF KARMA – HE WHO SEEKS EQUITY MUST DO EQUITY

This is the most painful part for Bishop Ibezim if what you said is true.

In Law, we have 12 Maxims of Equity. One says: “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands” and “He who seeks equity must do equity.”

If Bishop Ibezim as Diocesan:

– Suspends priests without query

– Sacks church teachers without panel

– Transfers workers punitively without hearing

– Withholds salaries without due process

And today he is shouting “Fair Hearing! Fair Hearing! Section 36 of the Constitution!”

The court and the public will ask him: Where was Section 36 when you were doing it to your juniors?

This is not just a legal point, it is a moral point. Galatians 6:7 says “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

You cannot deny your workers fair hearing and then demand fair hearing from your Primate. God is watching.

Advice to Bishop Alexander Ibezim:

1. WITHDRAW the case from secular court immediately. 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 says “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?” You are an Archbishop, do not take the Church to court. It is a scandal.

2. Obey and proceed on the leave. Obedience is not a weakness. It will show you have respect for the office of the Primate. Write a letter that you are proceeding in obedience but under protest, reserving your right to defend yourself. That will save you.

3. Prepare your defence with documents, not media. If the allegation is N2bn land sale, bring your Diocesan Board minutes, your Finance Board approval, your Deeds. Show the Church where money went. If you are clean, the investigation will vindicate you and you will come back stronger.

If you fight the Primate in court and disobey, even if you were innocent before, you will now be guilty of insubordination – which alone under the Canons is enough to remove a Bishop.

To Other Bishops and General Overseers:

Learn from this. Many of you run your dioceses like personal empires. You sack, you suspend, you curse workers without a panel. Today it is Ibezim, tomorrow it can be you.

If you want to enjoy fair hearing, give fair hearing to others. Set up a proper Personnel Board in your Diocese. Issue queries. Allow defence. Follow your own Constitution.

Because the God who is judging Ibezim today is the same God who will judge you when your workers cry to Him.

If he continues in court without going on leave:

– The Church will file an objection and may go ahead to suspend him contumaciously for disobedience.

– The court will strike out his case as premature.

– He will lose the sympathy of other Bishops.

– The investigation will be concluded in his absence and the report may be more damaging.

But if he humbles himself, goes on leave, and defends himself quietly, he has a 70% chance of returning after 6 months, even if with reprimand, my 2cents.