…Cites “failure to comply with EC directives” after Industrial Court judgment

The Assemblies of God Nigeria, General Council has suspended and dismissed Rev. Dr. Joseph Litiamliweabe Ushie as a pastor, citing his refusal to withdraw services from the UNICAL Chapel of University of Calabar.

 

In a letter dated 13th June, 2026 with Ref. AGN/GC/GSEC/22.136 and signed by General Secretary, Rev. (Dr) Godwin A. Amaowoh, , the church said the decision was taken by the Executive Committee at its meeting on Saturday, 13th June, 2026.

 

According to the letter, the action was taken under Article XVIII, No. 14 of the Constitution of the General Council, Assemblies of God Nigeria (2021 as amended) – “rejecting, refusing, neglecting or failure to comply with the directives of the Executive Committee (EC), District Presbytery, Area or Missionary Area Counselling Committee.”

 

“The EC… decided to suspend you as a member and dismiss you as a pastor from the ministry of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, effective from the 13th June, 2026,” the letter stated.

The Calabar District Presbytery was directed to remove his name from the ministerial list of the District.

 

The dismissal followed a series of directives to Rev. Ushie to step down from the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption as Chaplain.

 

In a letter dated 14th October, 2025, the Board of Administration said it had weighed allegations against the Chaplain and “the prevailing toxic atmosphere in the Chapel” and directed him “to drop his bid for the renewal of his tenure at the expiration of the current tenure and withdraw his services from the Chapel.”

 

On 20th January, 2026, the Board of Administration again directed the Calabar District Presbytery to “immediately post him to any place of ministry of the Assemblies of God Nigeria in your District” following the expiration of his tenure on 31/1/26.

 

In another letter dated 27th May, 2026, the General Secretary said the EC, after receiving a Certified True Copy of an Industrial Court judgment, “re-iterated its earlier decision that you withdraw your services from the Unical Chapel of Redemption with immediate effect, or you be prepared to face serious disciplinary action.”

 

The EC also expressed regret that “your ministry in the Unical Chapel of Redemption has left the Church of Christ in the University fragmented, rancorous and unspiritual, giving the court an unnecessary opportunity to intervene, thereby bringing a reproach to the name of our Holy God.”

It further apologized to the leadership and congregation of the Chapel “for all the short comings witnessed during your tenure as Chaplain.”

 

The development comes amid a pending suit at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. On 4th August, 2026, Justice Phoebe M. Ayua granted an interim injunction restraining the University of Calabar authorities and others from interfering with the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption, pending the determination of a fundamental rights suit filed by Rev. Ushie in Suit No: FHC/CA/FHR/87/2026. The matter was adjourned to 20th August, 2026.

 

Efforts to get Rev. Ushie’s reaction were ongoing at press time.