By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Leaders of the Anglican Church in Awka Diocese have dragged Bishop Alexander Ibezim to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged unauthorised sale of lands belonging to the church valued at over N2 billion.
Reverend Ibezim, is the incumbent Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese of Anambra State.
He had been enmeshed in alleged activities such as selling the landed properties of the church and 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 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 on the land sale, amounting to N70 million.
Barrister Adimora, had in a letter on April 9, 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 formed the petition to the EFCC.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief G. Tagbo, who sent the petition on behalf of Prince Echezona Onuigbo of St Faith Cathedral, Awka, said Bishop Ibezim has no right or power to sell any property belonging to the church as it is the church’s Board of Trustees, BoT, that are curators of its properties.
The scandal was blown open, following the reluctance of Bishop Ibezim to pay the church registrar 10 percent commission on the land sale.
In the petition dated July 28 to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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 the 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 its Registered Trustees.”
According to him, “Notwithstanding the clear provisions of Chapter XIV, Section 56 supra, the said Reverend Ibezim has single-handedly been selling the lands of the church, in total disregard to its Constitution and Cannons. The copy of the Constitution is herein attached and marked ANNEXURE “A.”
“During the tenure of his predecessor, His Grace, Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa, (now late), the church acquired enormous landed properties at diverse locations within its territorial limits, to the adulation of members and enrichment of the economy of the church.
“However, no sooner had Ibezim taken over the mantle of leadership, he began a systematic stripping of the landed assets of the church to the chagrin and consternation of diocesan officials, like the Chancellor, Justice O.J Okeke (rid), and Diocesan Secretary, 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 N752,000,000 being proceeds of the sale of landed properties of the church and converted same to his personal accounts. As at date, the value of the stripped properties has tripled, thus bringing the loot in excess of N billion.
“A break-down of the converted and stolen properties, and the value as at the date of disposal include eight plots of land at Ifite, Awka behind the Diocesan Shopping Mall, which was sold to Prince Emeka Onyido. – N80,000,000.00, two plots of land at Amansea – N28,000,000.00; two plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Chisco Nigeria Ltd at N140,000,000, two plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to an Nri man at N42,000,000, two plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to lgwe Onyido at N46,000,000, two plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Professor Emenike Obi at N70,000,000, two plots of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Uju of Fidelity Bank Pic – N110,000,000, one plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Dr Ben Okoye at N35,000,000.00; one plot of land at Ngozika Estate, Awka sold to Tony Muobike for N55,000,000.00.
Others are “one plot of land at Ngozika Estate sold to Mr Victor Agumadu at the cost of N55,000,000, one plot of land at Ngozika Estate sold to a lady at N36,000,000 and one plot of land at Ngozika Estate sold to Anayo Okpaleke at N55,000,000.00.”
