By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

• Top officials sacked as EFCC wades in

Top officials of the Diocese of Awka Anglican Church have been fired following alleged forgery of the signature of the Chancellor, Hon. Justice Sir O.J. Okeke, in a controversial land sale.

To this end, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba, has waded into the matter by setting up a high-powered panel to audit and investigate the “unfortunate developments” in the Diocese.

According to a memo sighted by journalists, the Primate has responded by setting up a Panel of 4 eminent judges, a Bishop and a Venerable as Secretary to audit and investigate the unfortunate developments in the Diocese

The memo partly reads: “The Primate has set up a Panel of 4 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 and will be back this week. I believe the appropriate steps are being taken to redeem the wholesomeness of the Church of Nigeria.”

While the Primate’s effort to nip the crisis in the board, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Justice Okeke, called the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with a petition.

He insisted that only a proper investigation by the anti-graft body can unearth those behind the forgery.

Details of his petition dated August 21, 2025, said that the Chancellor rejected an invitation to a “Reconciliation Meeting” convened at Our Saviour’s Church, Awka, describing it as a “charade.”

It partly reads, “Forgery is a criminal offence and cannot be resolved by the so-called ‘Reconciliation Committee,’” Justice Okeke declared. “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.”

While describing the Emergency Diocesan Board Meeting of August 18 as a circus where non-members were smuggled in, he accused the leadership of the Diocese of shielding the culprits, even as he is branded a “traitor” and accused of “dementia.”

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) 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?

Meanwhile, 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.

However, the Diocese through its Publicist, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, has cleared the Archbishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD of allegations of diverting land-sale proceeds into his private account.

The Board, in its resolutions, dismissed the petition against the Archbishop as “false and baseless, saying that it is only aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Church and the Archbishop.