Assemblies of God Nigeria Dismisses Ex-UCOR Chaplain Over Alleged Defiance of Directive
By Missang Akpet
The General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria (AGN) has dismissed Rev. (Dr.) Joseph Ushie from its ministry and suspended his membership after he allegedly failed to comply with a directive ordering him to withdraw from ministerial duties at the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption (UCOR).
The decision, announced by the church’s Executive Committee, marks the culmination of a disciplinary process arising from the protracted leadership crisis at the Chapel of Redemption.
According to an official letter dated May 27, 2026, and signed by the General Secretary, Rev. Godwin A. Amaowoh, the Executive Committee directed Rev. Ushie, a former Chaplain of the Chapel of Redemption, to immediately withdraw his services from the church after considering a Certified True Copy of the judgment of the National Industrial Court on the matter.
The Executive Committee stated that Rev. Ushie’s continued ministry at the chapel had left the church “fragmented, rancorous and unspiritual,” adding that the internal dispute had unnecessarily drawn judicial intervention and brought “reproach to the name of our Holy God.”
Expressing regret over the developments during his tenure, the church leadership apologized to the leadership and congregation of the Chapel of Redemption and warned that failure to comply with its directive would attract disciplinary sanctions.
However, in a subsequent communication dated June 13, 2026, the Executive Committee announced that Rev. Ushie had failed to obey the directive and had consequently been dismissed from the Assemblies of God Nigeria ministry, with his membership also suspended.
The disciplinary notice, also signed by Rev. Amaowoh, stated that the action was taken pursuant to Article XVIII, No. 14 of the 2021 Constitution of the Assemblies of God Nigeria (as amended), which classifies refusal, neglect or failure to comply with directives of the Executive Committee as a disciplinary offence.
The General Council further directed the Calabar District Presbytery to immediately remove Rev. Ushie’s name from its ministerial roll.
Copies of the two official communications were forwarded to the Executive Officers of the Calabar District Presbytery, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, the Board of Trustees, and the Council and congregation of the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption.
The wide circulation of the letters underscores the determination of the national leadership of the Assemblies of God Nigeria to bring the prolonged leadership dispute at the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption to a close.
The dismissal follows a sequence of disciplinary actions initiated by the Executive Committee, beginning with an order directing Rev. Ushie to withdraw from ministerial responsibilities at UCOR and culminating in his removal from the ministry following what the church described as his failure to comply with its directive.
