The Diocese of Atamunu, Methodist Church Nigeria, Calabar, in Cross River State, has set machinery in motion to probe the alleged assault of one of its priests, Rev. Victor Okon Uloh, by the bishop, Rev. Barr. Otuekong Alexander Ukut.
From available information, Rev. Okon had alleged that the bishop physically assaulted him, thereby leaving him traumatised.
However, in a statement signed on behalf of the Diocese by Sir Dr. Gabriel E. B. Inyang, Lay President, Very Rev Anthony Bassey, Synod Secretary and Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut, the bishop, and the trio described as unfounded allegations of high-handedness against the bishop.
According to the statement, the diocese noted that “the attention of the Bishop, the Lay President, the Ministerial Staff and the entire Laity of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Atamunu, has been drawn to a series of sensational, concocted, fabricated stories and blackmail that has been circulating across different social media platforms.”
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It stated that these fabrications were untrue and unfounded and hereby denied and denounced in their entirety.
In the statement which reads in part, the Diocese said, “The sponsor, a priest and full-time student of the University of Calabar who is currently under Disciplinary proceedings is embarking on a futile attempt to truncate and derail the course of justice which are being undertaken under the 2021 Methodist Church Nigeria Constitution and Bookof Resolutions.
“The Diocese hereby calls on all well-meaning Christians to pray for him and his co-sponsors, while the public is assured that justice will be done to the satisfaction of all, as the Methodist Church Nigeria. The Premier Church in the country is known for equity, justice, and fair hearing, and spiritual uplift of all its members,” the statement emphasised.