Methodist Bishop denies attack, verbal abuse on junior priest
The presiding Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Atamunu, Rt Rev Barr. Otuekong Ukut PhD, has debunked allegation of verbal abuse and physical assault on a priest, Rev. Victor Uloh, who is under supervision of his diocese.
Otuekong refuted the allegation while reacting to Rev. Oloh’s claim of inhuman treatment and oppression against him in an interactive session with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Calabar.
Otuekong ‘s reaction followed alarm raised by a junior priest, Rev. Victor Iloh, working under the Diocese of Atamunu under the supervision of Bishop Otuekong.
Rev Iloh who doubles as 300 levels medicine and surgery student at the University of Calabar, and a serving priest at the Diocese of Atamunu under the supervision of Bishop Otuekong accused Bishop in social media of unfair treatment,and consistently subjecting him to verbal physical attacks.
In response to the allegations, Otuekong Denise said that at no time did he physically assault, nor verbally abuse or maltreated the priest who is also a medical student.
“I only asked him to kneel down for prayers to be offered to him after he aired and not to bully him since he was derailing from the ways of the Lord and not to bully him.
Otuekong stressed that as a lover of education, he had always supported Rev. Oloh’s ambition of academic pursuit to enable him complete his studies at the university of Calabar.
He said that the allegations were lies fabricated from the pit of hell 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.
A statement from Methodist Church Diocese of Atamunu dated May 1, 2025, sighted by LEADERSHIP charged Rev. Iloh to submit himself to Neuro-Psychiatric 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. Barr. Otuekong Ukut PhD exonerated the bishop from any wrong doing.
The statement accused Rev. Iloh whom they claimed is currently under disciplinary proceedings of running to the social media to truncate and derail the course of justice which are being undertaken under the 2021, Methodist Church of Nigeria constitution and Book of Resolution.
“The Diocese also advised the junior priest to submit himself to Neuro-Psychiatric for mental examinations by professionals”. The statement M. maintained.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
