Church of Nigeria Suspends St Luke’s Cathedral Officials

Primate Henry Ndukuba sets up caretaker committee amid prolonged leadership crisis in Delta Diocese

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, the Most Revd Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, has ordered the suspension of all administrative structures, groups, arms, executives, and banking activities of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Boyo Road, Sapele, Delta State.

In their place, the Primate has constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the cathedral and restore order.

The decision was announced in a press statement issued  by the Church’s Director of Communications, Venerable Raphael Aderinwale.

According to the statement, the action followed persistent insubordination and refusal by some members and officers to submit to the authority and directives of the Primate, despite sustained peace-building efforts spanning more than a decade.

The Church noted that both the current Primate and his predecessor, the Most Revd Nicholas D. Okoh (Rtd), had constituted several panels aimed at resolving the crisis and preserving Anglican governance under a united and indivisible diocese led by a bishop. However, certain individuals allegedly defied all reconciliation initiatives.

The Church further expressed regret that the affected individuals disrupted a reconciliation service held on January 18, 2026, which was attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel, alongside other Church of Nigeria officials.

It was also reported that members who embraced peace were later harassed, as some individuals allegedly stormed church services in other parishes on January 25, 2026, disrupting worship activities.

The Primate reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to peace, order, and adherence to Anglican doctrine and governance, stressing that decisive steps were necessary to protect the sanctity of worship and unity within the Diocese.

Official Directives and Suspensions

Consequently, in line with Canon XVI (Subsection 49) and Canon XVII (1–8) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Primate approved the following measures with immediate effect.

The Cathedral Standing Committee of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Sapele, has been formally dissolved. In addition, all executive committees of church groups—including the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF), Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), Women Organisations, and all other arms of the church—have been disbanded. The Sapele Special Archdeaconry (Rescue Group) remains dissolved.

Pending the outcome of a duly constituted disciplinary panel, the underlisted clergymen have been suspended and relieved of their offices and responsibilities within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion):

• Venerable Clement Esimaje Oburoh (Rtd)

• Venerable Benson Ovumedia

• Venerable Onorien Arawore

• Rev. Canon Peter Adams

• Rev. Jonah Enudje

• Rev. Israel Ohworanovwee

• Rev. Andrew Idimi

• Rev. Emmanuel I. Omozue

Similarly, pending the outcome of an investigative panel, the following lay persons have been suspended and relieved of their duties:

• 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

• Mr. Christopher Akunoma

• Mrs. Vivian Oyibo

• Mrs. Dora Oyibo

All suspended persons have been directed to immediately hand over all church documents, records, and properties in their possession to the appropriate Church authority. The handover process will be conducted under the supervision of the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe.