Corruption Allegation: Anglican Bishop secures court injunction halting EFCC arrest

Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Dr Alex Ibezim has secured a court injunction to stop anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him.

The Bishop had been accused of illegal sale of landed property belonging to the church and embezzling the money.

Sources said he was petitioned to the EFCC by some members of the church led by second respondent, Prince Bonti Onuigbo.

the petition bothered on what was referred to as voracious wealth acquisition, and shortchanging of some of his allies, prompting EFCC to open investigation on the matter.

But a vacation judge, His Lordship The Hon. Justice F.I Aniukwu of the Anambra State High Court, Awka Judicial Division on Tuesday issued an injunction to stop the anti-graft agency from arresting the prelate.

The Bishop obtained the injunction through an ex-parte motion he filed through his legal counsel, Mr B.E.I Nworie, SAN, against the EFCC and the second respondent, Bonti Onuigbo.

He prayed “an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents by themselves and by their staff, servants, Officers, workers, agents, or howsoever, from acting on or doing anything whatsoever, based on the second respondent’s letter dated 28th July.”

A certified true copy of the injunction which was made available to journalists showed that the court granted the order, and restrained EFCC from arresting the prelate.

The court also added that: “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 and the Motion on Notice heard or fixed for hearing by the regular Court seised of the suit.

“Unless renewed, the Order of Interim Injunction herein granted shall elapse 21 days from today,” the court said.