Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, the Most Rev Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, has suspended several priests and lay officials in Sapele Diocese, following a prolonged leadership and governance crisis.
The Director of Communications, Venerable Raphael Aderinwale, in a statement on Tuesday, conveyed the suspension, which also involves the dissolution of all committees, groups, and administrative structures at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Boyo Road, Sapele, Delta State.
According to the statement, the Primate ordered the immediate suspension of all administrative, executive, and banking activities of the Cathedral and appointed a transition committee to manage the affairs of the church.
“The Primate’s decision was sequel to the exhibition of insubordination and refusal of some members and officers to adhere to the authority and directives of the Primate, despite repeated efforts to broker peace for over a decade since the crises began,” the statement noted.
The Church said both Dr. Ndukuba and his predecessor, the Most Rev Nicholas D. Okoh (rtd), have constituted several panels aimed at restoring unity within the Diocese in line with Anglican ecclesiastical governance.
“Panels upon panels have been constituted to broker peace under a united and indivisible Diocese under God being led by the Bishop which is the essential hallmark of Anglican governance, but some individuals have brazenly defied all efforts to toe the path of peace in order to put an end to the perennial crises to entrench lasting peace in the Diocese,” the statement disclosed.
The statement further disclosed that the crisis escalated in January when a reconciliation service scheduled for January 18, 2026, under the directive of the Primate, was disrupted. The service was attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel, as well as officials of the Church of Nigeria.
“The Church regretted that these persons constituted themselves as nuisance and went on to disrupt a reconciliation service scheduled under the directive of the Primate on the 18th January, 2026 which was attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel and some Church of Nigeria officials.
“Furthermore, they went on to intimidate and harass members of other Parishes who had opted for peace by violently storming their church services on Sunday, 25th January, 2026 to disrupt the worship of the Almighty God,” the statement narrated.
Citing Canon XVI (49) and Canon XVII (1–8) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria, the Primate dissolved the Cathedral Standing Committee and all executive committees of church groups, including the Christian Men Fellowship, Anglican Youth Fellowship, Women Organisations, and other arms of the church.
The former Sapele Special Archdeaconry (Rescue Group) remains dissolved.
Eight priests were suspended and relieved of their offices and responsibilities, pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel, while fifteen lay officials were also suspended pending investigation.
The priests are Ven. Clement Esimaje Oburoh (rtd.), Ven. Benson Ovumedia, Ven. Onorien Arawore, Rev. Canon Peter Adams, Rev. Jonah Enudje, Rev. Israel Ohworanovwee, Rev. Andrew Idimi and Rev. Emmanuel I. Omozue.
The lay officials of the church suspended and relieved of their duties are: Sir Ejiro Newton Omoko, Sir Prince Sunny Omatseye, Mr Sunday O. Akpobasah, Evang. Godwin O. Akunoma, and Chief Wilson Okporua.
Others are Comrade Regina Ororo, Evang. Michael L. Atarhe, Mr. Oghenero Onojorhoevwo, Mrs Rhoda Asagba, Engr Yomi Akinlosotu, Engr Olusegun Adenigba, Mrs Pamela Joy Okoro, Christopher Akunoma, Mrs. Vivian Oyibo and Mrs. Dora Oyibo.
“All suspended persons are directed to immediately hand over all Church documents, records, and properties in their possession to the appropriate Church authority, under the supervision of the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe,” the statement added.
To stabilise the Cathedral, the Primate approved the constitution of a Transition Committee with immediate effect, headed by the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe.
According to the statement, other members of the transition committee are Sir Chief Peter Garbot Adjekpiyede, Evang. John Agofure, Chief Mrs. Eguono Temiagin, Mrs. Patience Onah and Mr. Churchill Oki.
The Primate called on members of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Sapele, to cooperate with the new leadership, urging prayers and collective commitment toward restoring peace, order, and unity within the Diocese.
