NEWS
Leaders of Awka Anglican Diocese Drags Bishop Ibezim to EFCC Over Alleged Illegal Sale of N2bn Church land
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Leaders of the Awka Diocese of the Anglican Church has dragged Bishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged unauthorized sale of lands belonging to the church valued at over N2billion.
Rev Ibezim is the incumbent Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese of Anambra State.
The Bishop had been enmeshed in some alleged activities such as selling the landed properties of the church and has been having a running battle with some leaders in the church .
This has also pitched him against the Chancellor and other leaders who are now bent on exposing the controversial cleric.
It has also triggered a cold war between the Bishop and the Church Registrar, Barrister Chris Adimora, who is now insisting that he should be given a piece of the cake in the name of being paid 10 percent commission of the land sales, amounting to the sum of seventy million naira.
Barrister Adimora had in a letter on the 9th April, 2025, addressed to the Bishop, demanded to be paid his 10 percent commission, but his demands fell on deaf ears.
The letter, which the disgruntled Secretary, wrote to him is part of what has formed the petition to the EFCC.
In the petition to the EFCC by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief G. Tagbo, who sent the petition on behalf of Prince Echezona Onuigbo of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State, he said Bishop Ibezim has no right or powers to sell any property belonging to the church as it is the Church’s Board of Trustees (BoT) that are curators of the church’s properties.
The land sale scandal is reported to have blown open over the reluctance if Bishop Ibezim to pay the Church Registrar, Barrister Chris Adimora, 10 percent commission of the land sales, amounting to the sum of N70 million.
Barrister Adimora had in a letter on the 9th April, 2025, addressed to the Bishop demanded to be paid his 10 percent commission, but his demands fell on deaf ears.
The letter which the disgruntled Secretary wrote to him is part of what has formed the petition to the EFCC.
Chief G. Tagbo, in the petition to the EFCC, outlined Bishop Ibezim’s alleged infractions entitled “complaint of massive criminal stripping and stealing of assets of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Awka Diocese by Archbishop, His Grace Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim with looming consequence of retrenchment of hundreds of staff of Diocese of Awka Church of Nigeria”
In the petition dated 28 July, 2025 to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Senior Advocate, Chief Tagbo wrote “we act for and on the instructions of Prince Echezona Onuigbo of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State (hereinafter referred to as “our client”). It is our instruction to lodge this complaint of economic crime to you”
According to the petitioners, the Bishop’s “actions have led to massive loss of revenue to the Church, with resultant effect leading to massive job losses and budgetary cuts which will adversely affect the running of the church, the economic well-being of members and staff of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.”
He argued that “Chapter XIV, Section 56 of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion),1997 (as amended) vests all the assets and properties of the church on the Registered Trustees of the Church”
According to him “Notwithstanding the clear provision of Chapter XIV, Section 56 supra, the said Rev. Ibezim has single-handedly been selling the lands of the Church, in total disregard to the Constitution and Cannons of the church. The copy of the Constitution is herein attached and marked ANNEXURE “A” “
“During the tenure of the Bishop’s predecessor His grace, Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa,(now late), acquired enormous landed properties for the church at diverse locations within the territorial limits of the church, to the adulation of the church members and enrichment of the economy of the church.
“However, no sooner had Rev. Ibezim took over the mantle of leadership of the church, he began a systematic stripping of the land assets of the church to the chagrin and consternation of Diocesan Officials, like the Chancellor, Hon(Justice) O.J. Okeke (rid), and Diocesan Secretary, Barr. Chris Adimora. Attempts by the duo to caution him to desist from his machinations were rebuffed by the suspect”
“At the last count, the Bishop had taken seven hundred and fifty-two million naira (N752,000,000.00) being proceeds of sale of landed properties of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) of Diocese of Awka, and converted same to his personal accounts. As at date, the value of the stripped properties of the church has tripled, thus bringing the loots in excess of two billion naira (N2,000,000,000.00).
“A break-down of the converted and stolen properties, and the value as at date of disposal include eight(8) plots of land at Ifite, Awka behind the Diocesan Shopping Mall, which was sold to one Prince Emeka Onyido. – 80,000,000.00 ; Two(2) plots of land at Amansea – 28,000,000.00; Two(2) Plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Chisco Nigeria Ltd at 140,000,000.00 ; Two(2) plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to an Nri Man at 42,000,000.00; Two(2) plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to lgwe Onyido at 46,000,000.00; Two(2) plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Prof. Emenike Obi at 70,000,000.00; Two(2) plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Uju of Fidelity Bank Pic – 110,000,000.00 8; One(1) plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Dr. Ben Okoye at 35,000,000.00; One(1) plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Tony Muobike for 55,000,000.00. ; One(1) plot of land at Ngozika : Estate, Awka sold to Mr. Victor Agumadu at the cost of 55,000,000.00; One(1) plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to a Lady at 36,000,000.00 and One(1) plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Hon. Anayo Okpaleke at 55,000,000.00.”
By Tony Bazim
Many Nigerians blame President Tinubu for everything happening in the country, but have we taken time to ask the right questions?
Every month, Local Government Chairmen receive allocations.
What projects are they using these funds for? How is your local community benefiting?State Governors also receive federal allocations and generate billions through taxes and other sources of revenue.
How are these funds being spent? Are the roads, schools, hospitals, and other public services reflecting the amount of money received?Good governance starts with accountability at every level, not just at the top.
If we focus all our attention on the President while ignoring those closest to us, we may be overlooking a big part of the problem.As citizens, we should demand transparency from our Councillors, Local Government Chairmen, Governors, House of Assembly members, and every public office holder entrusted with our resources.
Nigeria will make greater progress when we stop asking only, “What is the President doing?” and start asking, “What is every elected official doing with the resources entrusted to them?”
Let’s ask the right questions.
AskTheRightQuestions #Accountability #GoodGovernance #Nigeria
For comments, contributions, or discussions:
beco.tony@gmail.com
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Stakeholders in Kogi State’s built environment sector have called on the state Government to urgently enforce the Kogi State Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010, warning that continued neglect of the legislation is fueling unregulated development, environmental degradation and urban disorder across the state.
The call was made during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Kogi State Chapter, held in Lokoja over the weekend.
The event, themed “Urban and Regional Planning in Kogi: Trajectory, Legal Issues and Prospects,” brought together town planners, policymakers, academics, and other professionals in the built environment to discuss strategies for sustainable urban development.
Speaking at the event, the outgoing Chairman of the institute, Stephen Nden, lamented that although the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, as amended, was domesticated in Kogi State in 2010, it has remained largely inactive. He urged the government to immediately implement the law to enable professional town planners to effectively guide physical development and curb the growing trend of uncoordinated urban expansion.
According to him, “The implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning Law will empower town planners to effectively guide the physical growth of our urban centres and ensure orderly development. It is unfortunate that a law domesticated over a decade ago remains inactive despite the enormous benefits it offers.”
Nden stressed that achieving sustainable development requires collective efforts from all stakeholders in the built environment sector.
He further urged members of the institute to uphold professional ethics and strengthen collaboration with government agencies, local government councils, and academic institutions.
A resource person at the symposium, Ramatu Baba, expressed concern over the state’s failure to fully implement planning laws, noting that several environmental and developmental challenges, including illegal mining activities and indiscriminate construction, are linked to poor planning and weak enforcement mechanisms.
She said, “The absence of effective planning frameworks has contributed significantly to illegal mining activities and environmental degradation. Government must strengthen planning institutions and ensure strict compliance with development control regulations.”
Baba also decried the shortage of qualified town planners and other professionals in the sector, warning against construction on natural waterways and flood-prone areas.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr. Baba Adams Ndalai, emphasized that without the full implementation of planning laws and the establishment of a functional Urban and Regional Planning Board, cities and towns across the state would continue to witness chaotic growth.
He stated that Kogi State possesses immense potential for sustainable urban development if the right policies and political will are deployed.
Dr. Ndalai advocated the adoption of smart city initiatives, climate-resilient infrastructure, and inclusive spatial planning systems, adding that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) could significantly improve land administration and increase internally generated revenue.
“The future of Kogi lies in embracing technology-driven planning solutions. Through GIS-based planning and land management systems, governments can improve development control, monitor land use changes, reduce disputes, and strengthen revenue generation,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion and former National President of the NITP, Chief Isah Ichaba, urged members to remain united and committed to advancing the planning profession.
He noted that stronger collaboration among professionals would enable the institute to play a more effective role in shaping government policies and promoting sustainable development.
At the end of the AGM, members elected a new executive council to pilot the affairs of the Kogi State Chapter. Sani Daniel emerged as Chairman, while Femi Ayanleye was elected Vice Chairman. Other officers include Aishat Mohammed Jamiu (Secretary), Enikanolaye Isaac Adebowale (Assistant Secretary), Zainab Salau (Treasurer), Abdullahi Shaaban Aminu (Financial Secretary), Atodo Kerim Smaila (Auditor), Oshamehin Deborah (Public Relations Secretary), Yakubu Umar Onimisi (PRS II), Samuel Afolagbode (Social Welfare Secretary), Stephen Jonathan Nden (Ex-Officio I) and Michael Alhassan (Ex-Officio II).
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Sani Daniel, pledged to provide inclusive and result-oriented leadership aimed at strengthening the institute and advancing physical planning across the state.
Daniel disclosed that the AGM adopted several recommendations, including the preparation of comprehensive master plans for Lokoja and other major urban centres, implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010, development of a state-wide regional development plan covering all 21 local government areas, recruitment of more planning professionals, establishment of stronger institutional coordination mechanisms, integration of climate adaptation and post-mining reclamation strategies into planning policies, and full deployment of GIS technology in development control activities.
He added that the institute would collaborate with other professional bodies to create a stronger built environment advocacy platform capable of supporting government efforts in achieving sustainable urban development and making Kogi State a more attractive destination for investment and tourism.
South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC) chairperson, Roh Tae-ak, on Friday offered to resign following a widespread shortage of ballot papers that disrupted voting in Seoul during this week’s local elections.
Roh made the announcement during a press briefing at NEC headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, expressing deep responsibility for the incident and apologising for eroding public trust in election management.
“The situation undermined voters’ confidence and participation in local elections, and I feel devastated as chairman,” Roh said.
NEC Secretary-General Heo Cheol-hoon also offered to resign, Roh added.
The presidential office said it “takes seriously” the resignations and called for a comprehensive review of election management procedures to restore public trust.
Officials stressed the need for the NEC to provide a clear explanation and implement strict follow-up measures.
The NEC plans to establish an independent committee of outside experts to investigate the cause of the shortage and propose preventive steps.
Ballot paper shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul, including Songpa and Gangnam districts, causing temporary suspension of voting.
Some voters reportedly left without casting their ballots after waiting.
Protesters later gathered at a polling station in Jamsil, Songpa Ward, alleging election fraud and obstructing officials from transporting ballot boxes.
Police dispersed the crowd and transferred approximately 2,000 ballots to a counting centre.
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