The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has suspended eight priests indefinitely over alleged insubordination and refusal to adhere to ecclesiastical authority.
The disciplinary action was announced in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Church’s Director of Communications, Venerable Raphael Aderinwale.
According to the statement, the decision of the Primate of the Church, His Grace, the Most Revd Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, followed the persistent exhibition of insubordination and defiance by some members and officers of the Anglican Diocese of Sapele, Delta State, despite repeated efforts over more than a decade to resolve the crisis within the Diocese.
The Church explained that the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is connected to the prolonged leadership and administrative crisis in the Diocese of Sapele.
Those suspended 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.
In addition to the clergy, several lay members of the Diocese were also suspended and relieved of their duties. They include Sir Ejiro Newton Omoko, Sir Prince Sunny Omatseye, Mr. Sunday O. Akpobasah, Evangelist Godwin O. Akunoma, Chief Wilson Okporua, Comrade Regina Ororo, Evangelist Michael L. Atarhe, Mr. Oghenero Onojorhoevwo, Mrs. Rhoda Asagba, Engr. Yomi Akinlosotu, Engr. Olusegun Adenigba, Mrs. Pamela Joy Okoro, Christopher Akunoma, Mrs. Vivian Oyibo, and Mrs. Dora Oyibo.
The Primate directed all suspended persons to immediately hand over all church documents, records, and properties in their possession to the appropriate church authorities under the supervision of the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe.
He also announced the suspension of all administrative, group, executive, and banking activities of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Boyo Road, Sapele, and constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the church.
The Church expressed regret that the suspended individuals allegedly disrupted a reconciliation service held on January 18, 2026, which was attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel, as well as officials of the Church of Nigeria. They were also accused of intimidating and harassing worshippers by forcefully invading church services on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The crisis in the Diocese is reportedly linked to a long-running dispute involving the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Blessing Erifeta, with tensions escalating into protests and disruptions of church activities in recent weeks.
