The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has issued an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, over allegations of unauthorized sale of church-owned land.
Justice F. I. Aniukwu granted the order following a motion ex parte dated September 4, filed on behalf of Bishop Ibezim by his counsel, B. E. I. Nwofor, SAN.
The application, brought under Orders 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, sought to bar the anti-graft agency from taking any action against the cleric pending the determination of a substantive suit.
The court order obtained in Awka on Thursday reads: “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the respondents, acting by themselves or through their staff, servants, officers, workers or agents, from arresting or detaining the applicant in connection with the facts of this case.
“The interim order is made to last till such a period that the parties would have fully exchanged processes in respect of the Motion on Notice No: A/1307M/2025 filed alongside the motion ex parte. Unless renewed, the order of interim injunction herein granted shall elapse 21 days from today.”
The controversy stems from a petition submitted to the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Office on July 28 by Chief G. Tagbo, SAN, on behalf of Mr. Echezona Onuigbo of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka.
The petition alleged that Bishop Ibezim unlawfully sold church land without the authorization of the Diocese’s Board of Trustees (BoT), which is the legal custodian of all church assets.
Justice Aniukwu adjourned further proceedings on the matter pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
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