By Korede Akintunde
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, the Most Revd Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, has suspended all administrative, groups, arms, executives and banking activities of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Boyo Road, Sapele in Delta State, as he set up a caretaker committee to oversee the running of the Church.
This was made known in a press statement released today by the Church’s Director of Communications, Venerable Raphael Aderinwale who noted that the Primate’s decision was sequel to the exhibition of insubordination and refusal of some members and officers to adhere to the authority and directives of the Primate, despite repeated efforts to broker peace for over a decade since the crises began.
The Primate noted that it is on record that himself and his Predecessor in – Office, The Most Rev’d Nicholas D. Okoh (Rtd) have constituted panels upon panels to broker peace under a united and indivisible Diocese under God being led by the Bishop which is the essential hallmark of Anglican governance but some individuals have brazenly defied all efforts to toe the path of peace in order to put an end to the perennial crises to entrench lasting peace in the Diocese.
The Church regretted that these persons constituted themselves as nuisance and went on to disrupt a reconciliation service scheduled under the directive of the Primate on the 18th January, 2026 which was attended by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Bendel and some Church of Nigeria officials. Furthermore, they went on to intimidate and harassed members of other Parishes who had opted for peace by violently storming their church services on Sunday, 25th January, 2026 to disrupt the worship of the Almighty God.
Consequently, in pursuance of Canon XVI, Subsection 49, and Canon XVII (1–8) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the following directives are announced with immediate effect;
1. The Cathedral Standing Committee of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Sapele, is hereby 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—are dissolved and disbanded. The then Sapele Special Archdeaconry (Rescue Group) remains dissolved.
2. Pending the outcome of a duly constituted disciplinary panel, the underlisted clergymen are hereby suspended and relieved of their offices and responsibilities within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion):
• Ven Clement Esimaje Oburoh (Rtd)
• Ven Benson Ovumedia
• Ven Onorien Arawore
• Rev Canon Peter Adams
• Rev Jonah Enudje
• Rev Israel Ohworanovwee
• Rev Andrew Idimi.
• Rev. Emmanuel I. Omozue
3. Similarly, pending the outcome of an investigative panel, the following lay persons are suspended and relieved of their duties:
• Sir Ejiro Newton Omoko
• Sir Prince Sunny Omatseye
• Mr Sunday O. Akpobasah
• Evang. Godwin O. Akunoma
• Chief Wilson Okporua
• Comrade Regina Ororo
• Evang. Michael L. Atarhe
• Mr. Oghenero Onojorhoevwo
• Mrs Rhoda Asagba
• Engr Yomi Akinlosotu.
• Engr Olusegun Adenigba
• Mrs Pamela Joy Okoro
• Christopher Akunoma
• Mrs. Vivian Oyibo
• Mrs. Dora Oyibo
All suspended persons are directed to immediately hand over all Church documents, records, and properties in their possession to the appropriate Church authority, under the supervision of the newly appointed Vicar, Rev. Canon Francis Onoshefe.
4. To ensure stability, continuity, and orderliness in the Cathedral, a transition committee is hereby constituted with immediate effect as follows:
1. The Rev Canon Francis Onoshefe: Vicar
2. Sir Chief Peter Garbot Adjekpiyede
3. Evang John Agofure
4. Chief Mrs Eguono Temiagin
5. Mrs Patience Onah
6. Mr Churchill Oki
The statement concluded that the Primate calls on all members of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Sapele, to cooperate fully with the new Vicar and the Transition Committee, and commits the church to prayer as all work together for peace, order, and to the glory of God.
