CALABAR – The General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria has dismissed a former Chaplain of the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption, Rev. (Dr) Joseph Ushie, over alleged disobedience to directives of the church’s Executive Committee NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The church also suspended Ushie’s membership and directed the Calabar District Presbytery to remove his name from its ministerial list with immediate effect.
The disciplinary action followed a directive issued by the church’s Executive Committee on May 27, 2026, ordering the cleric to withdraw his services from the Chapel of Redemption.
The directive, contained in a letter signed by the General Secretary of the church, Rev. Godwin A. Amaowoh, followed the consideration of a Certified True Copy of an Industrial Court judgment relating to the lingering leadership crisis at the chapel.
The Executive Committee alleged that Ushie’s ministry at the chapel had left the church “fragmented, rancorous and unspiritual,” while expressing regret over developments during his tenure.
The church leadership also apologised to the leadership and congregation of the Chapel of Redemption and warned Ushie that failure to comply with the directive would attract disciplinary action.
However, in a subsequent disciplinary notice dated June 13, 2026, the Executive Committee said Ushie had failed to comply with the earlier directive.
It consequently approved his suspension and dismissal from the Assemblies of God Nigeria.
The church said the action was taken pursuant to Article XVIII, No. 14 of its 2021 Constitution, as amended, which provides for disciplinary action against a member who refuses, neglects or fails to comply with directives of the Executive Committee.
The General Council subsequently directed the Calabar District Presbytery to remove Ushie’s name from its ministerial list with immediate effect.
Copies of the communications were forwarded to the executive officers of the church, the Calabar District Presbytery, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, the Board of Trustees, as well as the council and congregation of the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption.
The disciplinary action brings to a head a prolonged leadership dispute at the chapel, with the church’s national leadership maintaining that Ushie’s removal followed his alleged failure to comply with its directive to withdraw from ministerial duties at the institution.
The church had earlier expressed concern over the dispute and its impact on the Chapel of Redemption, stating that the situation had resulted in division within the congregation and led to the intervention of the Industrial Court.
The General Council’s latest action, according to the two official communications, followed a disciplinary process that began with the May directive for Ushie to withdraw from the chapel and culminated in his suspension and dismissal after the alleged non-compliance.
