Leaders of the Anglican Church in the Awka Diocese have filed a complaint with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing Bishop Alexander Ibezim of the unauthorized sale of church lands valued at over N2 billion.
Bishop Ibezim, who is both the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Niger and the Bishop of Awka Diocese in Anambra State, has reportedly been involved in selling church properties without proper authorization, which has sparked tensions with other church leaders.
This controversy has intensified the dispute between Bishop Ibezim and the Church Registrar, Barrister Chris Adimora. Adimora, who has demanded a 10 percent commission (amounting to N70 million) from the land sales, claims that his request was ignored by the bishop.
His formal complaint, sent in a letter on April 9, became part of the petition to the EFCC.
In the petition, Chief G. Tagbo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), acting on behalf of Prince Echezona Onuigbo of St Faith Cathedral, Awka, contends that Bishop Ibezim did not have the authority to sell church properties, as this responsibility lies with the church’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
The petition, dated July 28, was addressed to the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate. It claims that Bishop Ibezim’s actions have resulted in significant financial losses for the church, including job cuts and reduced resources for the church’s activities.
The petition argues that these losses negatively impact the well-being of the church’s members and staff.
According to the Church of Nigeria’s Constitution and Canons, specifically Chapter XIV, Section 56, all church assets are vested in its Registered Trustees.
However, the petitioners allege that Bishop Ibezim has disregarded this provision and has sold the church’s properties without the necessary approval from the Board of Trustees.
During the tenure of his predecessor, the late Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa, the church acquired substantial land holdings, which contributed to the church’s financial strength.
But after Bishop Ibezim assumed leadership, the petition claims he began systematically selling these properties, which caused concern among diocesan officials. Despite attempts by the Chancellor, Justice O.J. Okeke (rtd), and the Diocesan Secretary, Adimora, to intervene, Bishop Ibezim is said to have ignored their warnings.
According to the petition, Bishop Ibezim has allegedly transferred a sum of N752 million from the proceeds of these property sales into his personal accounts.
As of now, the value of the sold properties has increased, with estimates suggesting the total value of the properties stripped from the church could exceed N1 billion.
A breakdown of the land transactions reveals the following sales: eight plots of land behind the Diocesan Shopping Mall in Ifite, Awka, sold for N80 million; two plots in Amansea for N28 million; two plots in Ngozika Estate, Awka, sold to Chisco Nigeria Ltd for N140 million; two plots sold to an individual from Nri for N42 million; two plots sold to Igwe Onyido for N46 million; two plots sold to Professor Emenike Obi for N70 million; two plots sold to Uju of Fidelity Bank for N110 million; one plot sold to Dr. Ben Okoye for N35 million; and one plot sold to Tony Muobike for N55 million.
Other transactions include the sale of individual plots at Ngozika Estate to various buyers, with prices ranging from N36 million to N55 million per plot.
The petitioners argue that the sale of these properties without proper authorization has led to substantial financial loss and has adversely affected the church’s operations.
They are now calling on the EFCC to investigate these alleged financial crimes and hold those responsible accountable.
