Tobias Sylvester
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has suspended the Ekiti West Diocesan Bishop, Victor Adepoju, for one year after he confessed to having sex with the wife of a priest in the same diocese.
According to his suspension letter dated December 11, 2020, the church alleged that Adepoju, in a meeting held by its stakeholders, admitted to sleeping with the wife of the priest, who was under his employment and care.
With the suspension, the 57-year-old Bishop would not partake in any church activity for a year as he is expected to report and hand over to the Archbishop and for further spiritual guidance.
The letter signed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, reads, “We write with a deep sense of pain and concern to suspend you from office as the Diocesan Bishop of the Ekiti West Diocese. This is the sequel to your abhorrent sexual behaviour with the wife of a priest under your care.
“These facts were admitted by you in a meeting in our office held on Thursday, December 10, 2020. By this suspension, you are not to partake in any activity of the diocese as the bishop for one year.
“Please report and hand over to your Archbishop and for further spiritual guidance. It is our prayer that you will use the period to seek the face of God as we join in upholding you in prayers. The supervision of the Diocese of Ekiti has now devolved upon us the Primate of All Nigeria. The LORD be with you.”
It was learnt that Bishop Adepoju was enthroned bishop of Ekiti West on June 27, 2017, after about 32 years of priesthood and after serving as a venerable for 20 years.
KanyiDaily had also reported how a 68-year-old retired American teacher, Kathy Coll, sued a Nigerian Catholic Priest, Fr. Cyprian Duru, for allegedly raping her back in 2016.
