The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has suspended Rt. Reverend Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju as the Diocesan Bishop in charge of Ekiti West diocese with immediate effect.

This was conveyed in a letter dated December 11, 2020, and signed by the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba.

Mr. Adepoju was reproached by the Anglican hierarchy for sexually fraternising with the wife of a priest placed under his employment and care.

The embattled clergyman, who was yanked off his designated role and barred from participating in all activities of the diocese for a period of one year, was said to have owned up to the misconduct when confronted by leaders of the church who investigated the matter on December 10.

The priest whose wife Mr. Adepoju allegedly had affairs with and the woman were not named in the suspension letter, which has been in circulation on social media since Tuesday afternoon.

The excommunicated priest was urged to leverage his period of suspension to “seek the face of God.” 

The Anglican Communion is long renowned for its stringent disciplinary policies, especially for erring clergies.

A venerable in charge of an Archdeaconry in Aguata Diocese of the church in Anambra was demoted in September for sitting close to an erstwhile priest, who had earlier been dismissed for homosexuality.