Methodist Bishop Denies Assault, Abuse Of Priest In Cross River

The presiding Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Atamunu, Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut has dismissed allegation of verbal abuse and physical assault on a priest, Rev. Victor Uloh.

Rev. Oloh, a priest serving under in the diocese had accused the bishop of inhuman treatment and oppression.

Reacting to the allegation in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Otuekong said he did not at any time physically assaulted, verbally abused or maltreated the priest who is also a medical student.

Rev Iloh is a 300-level Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Calabar, and a serving priest at the Diocese under the supervision of Bishop Otuekong.

He accused Bishop in a social media post of unfair treatment, and consistently subjecting him to verbal physical attacks.

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In response, the Bishop explained that, “I only asked him to kneel down for prayers to be offered to him after he erred, and not to bully him since he was derailing from the ways of the Lord.”

Rt. Rev. Otuekong stressed that as a lover of education, he had always supported Rev. Iloh’s academic pursuit to enable him complete his studies at the University of Calabar.

He described the allegations as fabricated lies to tarnish the good image that he worked tirelessly to build.

“These fabrications are totally untrue, unfounded and are hereby denied and denounced in its entirety,” the cleric said.

A statement from Methodist Church Diocese of Atamunu dated May 1, 2025, which was seen by LEADERSHIP charged Rev. Iloh to submit himself for mental examinations by professionals so that he can function effectively.

The statement signed by three church officials, the Lay President, Sir Gabriel Inyang; Synod Secretary, the Very Rev. Anthony Bassey and the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Otuekong, exonerated the Bishop from any wrong doing.

The statement accused Rev. Iloh whom they claimed is under disciplinary proceedings, of running to the social media to derail the course of justice in line with the 2021 Methodist Church of Nigeria Constitution and Book of Resolution.