“We Will Enforce Court Order to Recover Our Properties” – UMCN Bishop Tells Breakaway GMCN 

By Andrew Ojih,  Jalingo. 

The Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), Emmanuel I. Ande on Thursday vowed that the Methodist Church would enforce the Federal High Court order to recover properties of the Church that are currently under the control of the recently breakaway faction of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN).

Ande, who stated this during a state wider press conference in Jalingo, hinted that the FHC on March 30 ruled that the deregistration process carried out through the Corporate Affairs Commission by GMCN failed to meet legal requirements.

He noted that justice Obiora A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja declared the move as null and void and ordered a reversal of all actions taken to change the church’s name and board of trustees.

According to him, the court also said that the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria does not legally exist, adding that they were not properly registered in accordance with statutory provisions.

The legal tussle stated in December 2024, when UMCN filed a lawsuit seeking to recover properties and assets allegedly taken by former leaders who had aligned with the breakaway group. 

The Bishop who described the judgment as a confirmation of truth and justice  cautioned against celebrating the outcome.

“This is not a moment of celebration, but a moment for healing, i called on all members and the wider Christian community to embrace dialogue and reconciliation.

While reiterating his appeal to former members to return, he urged those who left the denomination to return home, noting that the Church leadership is willing to welcome them back.