ECWA leadership in fresh contempt scandal over Kano crisis
The ongoing leadership crisis within the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has taken a dramatic turn as the church’s national executive continues to face allegations of persistent contempt of court regarding the controversial inauguration of the Kano Central District Church Council (DCC).
Despite multiple subsisting orders from the Kano State High Court, top officials of the church are reportedly doubling down on their recognition of the nullified council, sparking concerns over the breakdown of the rule of law within one of Nigeria’s largest Christian denominations.
A trail of defiance
The legal battle dates back to August 11, 2025, when the Kano High Court explicitly restrained the ECWA leadership from proceeding with the inauguration of the Kano Central DCC. In a move described by observers as an “outright disregard” for the judiciary, the ECWA General Secretary proceeded with the ceremony regardless.
In response to this defiance, the court nullified the inauguration and issued a fresh injunction restraining the executives from parading themselves in their official capacities.
The ECWA President was subsequently summoned to appear before the court for contempt.
While ECWA counsel, Yakubu Bawa, initially argued a lack of service of the court orders, evidence of substituted service at the ECWA headquarters forced a change in strategy. An application to set aside the court order was later withdrawn under pressure from the Plaintiffs’ counsel, B.Y. Gambo Esq, and was ultimately dismissed by the court.
Open defiance in Kano
The crisis reached a fever pitch on February 17, 2026, when three pending cases against the church leadership were adjourned.
Rather than maintaining the status quo, the ECWA President, alongside the Assistant General Secretary and the Legal Adviser, reportedly visited the ECWA Gospel Centre in Kano.
During the visit, the leadership allegedly declared their “solid support” for the Kano Central DCC—an entity currently nullified by the court. Furthermore, the ECWA President was reported to have inspected a site in the Nomansland area of Kano, intended to serve as the secretariat for the disputed DCC.
The consistent disregard for constituted authority has drawn the ire of legal experts and civil rights groups. Many argue that the church’s actions set a dangerous precedent for judicial disobedience in Nigeria.
”ECWA’s disregard for constituted authorities should not be left unpunished,” noted one legal expert close to the case.
“The court must assert its power to ensure that no individual or organization, no matter how influential, is above the law.”
As civil society organizations join the call for the court to penalize the ECWA leadership, all eyes remain on the Kano State High Court to see how it will address this continued defiance in the coming weeks.
