By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Members of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) have been call upon to remain calm following the Federal High Court rulling in favor of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria UMCN.
Dr John Pena Auta
Presiding Bishop
Global Methodist Church in Nigeria, made the call while briefing Journalists in Jalingo.
“We express total dissatisfaction with a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja over a suit challenging its change of name from United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.
“The church disagrees with the court’s decision and has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division.
He disclosed that, in addition to the appeal, the church has also filed a motion on notice seeking an injunction pending the determination of the appeal, as well as a stay of execution of the judgment.
The Bishop urged members and supporters to be law-abiding and avoid any form of confrontation or actions capable of disrupting public peace or tarnishing the image of the church adding that the church leadership is pursuing all lawful avenues in seeking redress and justice over the matter.
Full text of his briefing reads,
FULL TEXT OF ADDRESS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA JOHN PENA AUTA ON THE 7th OF APRIL 2026 AT THE MCBRIDE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA MAGAMI, JALINGO TARABA STATE.
RE: FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGMENT ON THE CHANGE OF NAME FROM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA TO GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA
On behalf of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria, i wish to address all members of the Church and the general public following the recent judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the change of name from United Methodist Church in Nigeria to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) arising from the undated originating summons filed by Ben Simon & 3 ors. V. CAC & 2 ors. in FHC/ABJ/CS/1891/2024.
The Court, in its judgment, ordered a reversion of the church’s registration from Global Methodist Church in Nigeria back to United Methodist Church in Nigeria, citing procedural concerns with the CAC. By the judgment, orders 9, 10 and 11 reads:
“9. A Declaration is made that the change of the trustee of the church made by the Corporate Affairs Commission on the 19th of October, 2024 on the certificate of incorporation of the church is unlawful, invalid, null and void.
10. A Declaration is made that the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs are still Registered Trustees of the church.
11. A Declaration is made that the 1st Defendants action of amending the Plaintiffs church incorporation certificate on the 19th of October, 2024 to change the names of Trustees, by removing the name of the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs as registered Trustees of the church, or altering the names of the Trustees of the church, is unlawful, Invalid, null and void.”
By this judgment, Ben Simon and Dr. Eunice Iliya has now joined Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, Mr. Mike Dio Jen, Rev. Alexander Sabo, Mr. Modibo Andrew, Mr. Soje Yunana as members of the Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria on who the properties of the church is vested in as per the judgment of the court.
We read the judgment of the Court and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rule of law and due process. As a law-abiding body, we respect the judicial process and remain confident in the justice system.
Not been satisfied with the judgment, we have instructed and our legal team has filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in Nigeria in the Abuja Judicial Division against the said judgment and a motion on notice for injunction pending appeal and stay of execution of the judgment before the same court that gave the judgment.
In light of the above, we wish to clearly reassure all our members that:
1. The Church is fully within its legal rights to continue its activities and use of its properties.
2. All worship services and church programs should continue peacefully in accordance with the teachings of Christ.
3. Members should remain calm, prayerful, and steadfast during this period.
We strongly advise all members and supporters to remain law-abiding and refrain from any form of confrontation or actions that may disrupt public peace or bring the name of the Church into disrepute.
The leadership is committed to pursuing all lawful means to seek redress and justice. We urge everyone to stay peaceful, focused, and trusting in God as we navigate this process.
May peace, grace, and wisdom guide us all.
Signed:
Dr John Pena Auta
Presiding Bishop
Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.