Archbishop Ibezim cleared of allegations in Awka Diocese

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By Madu Obi

The Archbishop on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Alexander Ibezim has been exonerated of the allegation of financial impropriety and irregularities in land transaction in Awka Diocese.

Two members of the church, Bonti Onuigbo and a lawyer, had filed a petition questioning some actions taken on behalf of the Diocese by the Archbishop.

However, at an emergency session convened by the diocesan board, the members unanimously cleared Archbishop Ibezim of any wrongdoing.

In a resolution, the board dismissed the petition, describing it as “false, baseless, and politically motivated,” noting that all land sales in the diocese were transparently conducted and properly documented.

The Archdeacon of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka, Venerable Samuel Okonkwo, said the petitioner lacked standing, adding that Onuigbo is neither a registered member of the Cathedral, nor a stakeholder in the Diocese.

According to him, internal matters of the Church must be raised by those who are truly part of its life and witness.

Financial officers of the Diocese, including the Treasurer, Prof. Clifford Nwanna and Financial Secretary, Mrs. Lovelyn Umeh, presented records indicating that proceeds from land sales were duly paid into the diocesan account.

Also, the Secretary of the land committee, Ven. Jason Onyeakagbusi, confirmed that records of diocesan property dated back to the era of late Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, describing the petition as “misleading.”

On the allegation regarding staff retrenchment, Ven. B. K. Ofili said rather that the Diocese had, under Archbishop Ibezim, created new institutions that generated employment.

He cited the establishment of Paul University, Awka; the Archbishop Alexander Ibezim College of Education, Nibo-Nise; Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka; Renaissance Modern Polytechnic, Mbaukwu; and several schools across the Diocese.

Other diocesan leaders, including Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, President of the Council of Knights, and Sir Okey Chukwuogor, affirmed that synod had long ago adopted the policy of treating some diocesan lands as “investment property,” well before Archbishop Ibezim assumed office.

“The petition constitutes a false allegation aimed at tarnishing the good image of His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim and ridiculing the reputation of the Diocese and the Church of God", the resolution read

A senior cleric, Venerable Ifeanyi Umeh, who reacted on the issue, alleged that internal opposition was being fuelled by lingering disputes over land issues involving a certain prominent lawyer in the Diocese

He said that Archbishop Ibezim’s efforts to safeguard diocesan property had unsettled some individuals, leading to attempts to discredit him.

“Because our Archbishop insisted on transparency, some individuals are resorting to false accusations and blackmail,” Umeh said.

“The integrity of the Church remains intact. We stand firmly behind our Archbishop,” a senior member of the church said.