The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has taken sweeping disciplinary action at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Boyo Road, Sapele, Delta State, suspending key officials, dissolving all committees and church groups, and halting administrative and banking activities amid a long-running internal crisis.
In a decisive move announced on Friday, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, the Most Revd Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, ordered the immediate dissolution of all statutory and non-statutory bodies at the Cathedral and constituted a transition committee to take over its affairs.
The action was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Church’s Director of Communications, Venerable Raphael Aderinwale.
According to the statement, the Primate’s intervention followed what the Church described as persistent insubordination, defiance of ecclesiastical authority, and a refusal by some members and officers to comply with repeated directives aimed at restoring peace.
The Church noted that the crisis at St. Luke’s Cathedral has lingered for over a decade, despite sustained efforts by the Primate and his predecessor,
The Most Revd Nicholas D. Okoh (rtd), to broker reconciliation through multiple peace panels.
These efforts, the statement said, were anchored on Anglican governance principles that emphasise unity under the leadership of the diocesan bishop, principles some individuals allegedly “brazenly defied.”
Matters reportedly came to a head in January 2026. The Church accused some aggrieved members of disrupting a reconciliation service held on January 18, 2026, which was convened at the Primate’s directive and attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel, alongside other senior Church officials.
The statement further alleged that worshippers in other parishes who chose the path of reconciliation were intimidated and harassed, with their services forcefully disrupted on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Citing Canon XVI, Subsection 49, and Canon XVII (1–8) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria, the Primate consequently ordered the dissolution of the Cathedral Standing Committee, as well as all executive committees of church organisations, including the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF),
Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), women’s organisations, and other arms of the church.
The Sapele Special Archdeaconry (Rescue Group) remains dissolved.
In addition, eight clergymen were suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel.
They include Venerable Clement Esimaje Oburoh (rtd), Venerable Benson Ovumedia, Venerable Onorien Arawore, Rev. Canon Peter Adams, Rev. Jonah Enudje, Rev. Israel Ohworanovwee, Rev. Andrew Idimi, and Rev. Emmanuel I. Omozue.
Several lay leaders were also suspended pending investigation. Among them is Mrs. Rhoda Asagba, alongside other prominent members of the Cathedral.
All suspended persons have been directed to immediately hand over church documents, records, and properties in their possession to the appropriate authorities under the supervision of the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe.
To stabilise the situation, the Primate approved the constitution of a transition committee chaired by Rev. Canon Onoshefe, with six other members drawn from the Cathedral community, to oversee worship, administration, and the gradual restoration of order.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace and unity, the Church acknowledged the gravity of the crisis and urged all members of St. Luke’s Cathedral to cooperate fully with the new leadership.
The Primate called for prayers and collective commitment to reconciliation, stressing that discipline, though painful, is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the Church and restore its witness.
