Awka Anglican Diocese in Turmoil as Top Officials Sacked Over Land Sale Scandal,Primate Orders Probe
Bishop of Awka Anglican Diocese Dr Alexander Ibezim
By Our Correspondent
The Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) has been rocked by a major scandal involving the alleged forgery of the signature of its Chancellor, Hon. Justice Sir O.J. Okeke, in connection with a controversial church land sale.
The fallout has led to the dismissal of several top diocesan officials and has drawn the direct intervention of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba.
This development adds to growing concerns about the shifting priorities within some segments of the Nigerian church, where issues of land acquisition and financial gain appear to be taking precedence over the core mission of soul-winning and spiritual guidance.
A confidential memo obtained by our correspondent confirms that the Primate has established a high-powered investigative panel to audit and probe the incident.
The panel is composed of four eminent judges, a bishop, and a venerable who serves as secretary.
According to the memo, the panel has commenced preliminary sittings in Abuja and is expected to move to Awka imminently.
The memo reads in part:”The Primate has responded by setting up a panel of four eminent judges, a bishop, and a venerable as secretary to audit and investigate the unfortunate developments in Awka Diocese. They are currently sitting in Abuja and will proceed to Awka soonest. The Primate travelled but will be back this week. I believe appropriate steps are being taken to redeem the integrity of the Church of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Justice Okeke has taken the matter further by petitioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting that a full criminal investigation is necessary to uncover the individuals responsible for the forgery.
In a strongly-worded letter dated August 21, 2025, Justice Okeke rejected an invitation to a “Reconciliation Meeting” scheduled to hold at Our Saviour’s Church, Awka, describing the initiative as a “charade.”
“Forgery is a criminal offence and cannot be resolved by a so-called ‘Reconciliation Committee, “Since I have been accused of writing a petition to the EFCC, it is my view that the EFCC should be allowed to investigate the allegation and determine who forged my signature in the land sale transaction.”the Chancellor stated.
He further accused the diocesan leadership of protecting those involved, claiming the Emergency Diocesan Board Meeting held on August 18 was compromised.
According to him, non-members were allegedly smuggled into the meeting, while he himself was labeled a “traitor” and accused of suffering from “dementia.”
The unfolding scandal continues to generate tension within the diocese and among the wider Anglican community in Nigeria, raising urgent questions about transparency, governance, and accountability in church leadership.
The letter reads,: Dear Rev Canon K. E. N Chukwukamma
I have seen your notice inviting me to a purported Diocesan “Reconciliation” meeting scheduled for today Thursday, 21st August, 2025 at Our Saviour’s Church, Awka, time 10:00am.
I regret that I cannot subject my humble self to further vituperation after what transpired on Monday, 18th August, 2025 at the so- called Emergency Diocesan Board Meeting held at Mount Zion International Retreat and Resource Centre, Kamali Layout Awka for the following reasons:
1) It is very elementary in both Igbo native law and English law that one cannot be a judge in his own cause.
2) In attendance at the said meeting of Monday 18th August 2025 presided by His Grace and wife were several persons who are not members of the Diocesan Board.
3) His Grace allowed his praise singers to speak several times after himself and his wife poured abuses on my person, that I am a traitor and suffering from dementia.
4) I insisted that I must be heard, His Grace grudgingly allowed me to speak for a few minutes.
5) My contention that my signature was forged in the sale of Diocesan plots of land was not allowed to be commented on.
6)His Grace quickly announced the names of his praise singers and foot soldiers as members of the purported Diocesan “Reconciliation” Committee and inaugurated same.
7) I refused to be part of this CHARADE.
8) We all should know that forgery is a criminal offence and cannot be resolved by the so -called “Reconciliation” Committee.
9) Since I have been accused of writing a petition to the EFCC, it is my view that the EFCC should be allowed to investigate the allegation that I wrote the petition and who forged my signature in the sale of the Diocesan plots of land.
THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE.
Thanks.
HON. JUSTICE SIR O.J OKEKE
CHANCELLOR DIOCESE OF AWKA (Anglican Communion)
21st August 2025″
The once-hallowed corridors of Awka Diocese have now become a battlefield. The Chancellor has dug in, the Registrar has reportedly been sacked, and the Primate has ordered an audit panel—signaling that the scandal has gone beyond Awka to shake the very foundations of the Church of Nigeria.
As of press time, the Diocese maintained through its Publicist, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, that Archbishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, had been cleared of allegations of diverting land-sale proceeds into his private account. The Board, in its resolutions, dismissed the petition against the Archbishop as “false, baseless, and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Church and the Archbishop.”
But with EFCC operatives watching, a Primate’s panel sitting, and the Chancellor refusing to back down, many fear the Diocese may be heading for its fiercest storm yet—an Armageddon in Awka.
Source: Razor online
