Key points:
- A high court has ruled in favor of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, declaring the church’s deregistration by a breakaway group in 2024 “null and void.”
- The March 30 ruling comes after more than a year of legal wrangles in the courts between The United Methodist Church in Nigeria and the Global Methodist Church.
- “Let us move forward not in division, but in grace, humility and love,” said Bishop Ande Emmanuel as he extended an olive branch to the Global Methodist Church.
A Federal High Court has nullified the deregistration of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria by a breakaway denomination, declaring it illegal and non-existent under Nigerian law.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by The United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), the court held that the Corporate Affairs Commission failed to comply with legal procedures in carrying out the change of name and board of trustees from UMCN to Global Methodist Church Nigeria (GMCN).
Justice Obiora A. Egwuatu, the presiding judge, ruled that the purported registration of GMCN was flawed ab initio (from inception), stressing that due process was not followed by the regulatory body. Consequently, the court ordered a reversal of all actions taken to recognize the new denomination affirming that the entity lacks legal standing to operate within the country.
“The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria does not exist in the eyes of the law, having not been duly registered in accordance with statutory provisions,” the court held.
Bishop Ande Emmanuel, who leads the Nigeria Episcopal Area and the mission districts of Senegal and Cameroon, acknowledged that while ecclesiastical matters are ideally resolved internally, recourse to the courts had become necessary in this instance. He urged members to embrace dialogue moving forward, emphasizing that reconciliation and peaceful engagement remain critical to the church’s growth.
“This is not a moment of celebration, but a moment for healing. It is time to mend what has been broken between The United Methodist Church in Nigeria and the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria,” he said in a statement soon after pronouncement of the court decision.
“We extend a hand of fellowship to our brothers and sisters — if you wish to return, you are welcome. And if you choose to continue your journey with GMCN, we remain open to dialogue, so we can understand your needs and support you in peace and unity,” Emmanuel said.
“Let us move forward not in division, but in grace, humility and love,” he said, extending an olive branch to the breakaway members.
Reacting to the judgment, Barrister Chinedu Odora, counsel to The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, described the ruling as timely and decisive, noting that it effectively halted what he termed an unlawful attempt by certain individuals to alter the identity of the church.
He commended the court for upholding the rule of law, adding that the verdict would reinforce unity and institutional stability within The United Methodist Church in Nigeria.
Barrister Benjamin Simon, chancellor for The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, hailed the judgment as a victory for church members nationwide. He particularly lauded Justice Egwuatu for restoring the legal status quo through the nullification of the disputed registration.
Similarly, the Rev. Philip Micah Dopah, the connectional ministries director for the Nigeria Episcopal Area, praised the court for what he described as a courageous stand for truth and justice. He called on adherents to remain law-abiding and peaceful in line with Christian teachings.
The Rev. Eunice Iliya, a member of the church’s board of trustees, welcomed the judgment and advised church members across the country to celebrate the outcome with restraint, cautioning against acts that could inflame tensions.
The Rev. Ahmed Ayuba Ahmed, director of mission/partnership for the UMCN and coordinator for youth, young adult and campus ministries in the West Africa Regional Conference, told UM News that he is relieved.
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“Our people have really suffered, and we always prayed for God’s intervention. God has not forsaken us in this court battle,” he said. “There is peace all over and the excitement on the faces of United Methodists in court was awesome.”
The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the ongoing leadership and identity disputes within the Methodist community in Nigeria, as stakeholders weigh options for reconciliation and institutional continuity.
The suit before the court challenged the purported change of name from United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN). The plaintiffs in the matter were Bishop Emmanuel, Iliya, Rev. Eli Yakku and Simon, the barrister.
Chief among the concerns of United Methodists was the recovery of properties and assets of the church, which were taken by former leaders who joined the Global Methodist Church. To this end, the church sought recourse in the Nigerian courts, and a lawsuit was filed Dec. 17, 2024.
In the suit, The United Methodist Church challenged the Sept. 3, 2024, change of name at the government’s Corporate Affairs Commission by the breakaway group. In the papers, the UMCN described the change of name as “unlawful, invalid, null and void.”
The lawsuit sought to recover properties including the church’s head office (secretariat) located at Mile 6 in Jalingo, Taraba State, and church funds held in a bank account that also was taken by the breakaway leaders.
Following the March 30 judgment, The United Methodist Church in Nigeria’s lawyer said the court orders would be sent to all commissioners of police for enforcement. The process would include ejecting any non-United Methodists from church buildings, offices, schools and hospitals, among other properties, Odora said.
UM News has reached out to Global Methodist Church leadership for comment. We will update this developing story as more details become available.
Bakari Auta is director of communication for The United Methodist Church’s Nigeria Episcopal Area. Chikwanah is a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
