Methodist Church Nigeria Suspends Cleric Who Alleged Physical Assault And !njury By Supervising Bishop, Ukut
Methodist Church Nigeria Suspends Cleric Who Alleged Physical Assault And Injury By Supervising Bishop, Ukut
Nigerian fashion
The attack was said to have occurred during a tense moment when Rev’d Uloh had voiced concerns during the session.
The Methodist Church Nigeria in Cross River State has suspended one of its ministers, Reverend Victor Okon Uloh, following an alleged physical assault by the Supervising Bishop, Rt. Rev. Barr. Otuekong A. Ukut, during the church’s 2025 Annual Synod in Calabar.Nigerian fashion
On April 25, during the Ministerial Session of the Diocese of Atamunu, Rev’d Uloh was allegedly attacked by Bishop Ukut in front of fellow ministers. According to Rev’d Uloh, Bishop Ukut lifted his crosier and struck him, attempting to choke him and forcibly remove his pendant.
The attack was said to have occurred during a tense moment when Rev’d Uloh had voiced concerns during the session.
In a statement addressed to the church leadership, Rev’d Uloh described the bishop’s actions as “an unprovoked physical assault” and claimed that the attack was meant to “humiliate and suppress” him.
“I never imagined that a leader, who should guide with humility and care, would act with such cruelty, pride, and oppression,” Rev’d Uloh wrote in the letter.
The church leadership acted swiftly by issuing a suspension letter on April 27, citing not only the alleged physical assault but also accusing Rev’d Uloh of absenteeism, failure to participate in pre-synod activities, and causing disturbances during the session.
The suspension was said to result from a violation of the church’s code of conduct for ministers, although no details of the specific code breach were mentioned.
The suspension letter further outlined that Rev’d Uloh had four days to respond to the allegations. If no satisfactory response was received, further disciplinary measures would be taken.
Methodist Priest Accuses Bishop Of Physically Assaulting Him, Causing Neck Injury, Calling Him ‘Idiot,’ And ‘Goat’ In Cross River
The church has yet to make a public statement regarding the investigation into the incident.
Uloh, however, has not taken the suspension lightly. In his response to the church’s action, he vehemently denied all accusations against him, calling them baseless.
He demanded a formal apology from Bishop Ukut and a commitment to cover the medical treatment for the injuries he sustained during the altercation.
Additionally, Rev’d Uloh requested official confirmation of his pastoral assignment and a full investigation into the events that transpired during the synod.
The suspension has drawn mixed reactions from church members, with some supporting Reverend Uloh’s account of events, while others have rallied behind Bishop Ukut, urging the church to uphold its disciplinary standards.
As the investigation continues, many await further developments to understand the full scope of the allegations and the church’s final decision on the matter.
