By Sylvia Akpan
Rev. Victor Okon Uloh, a 300 level student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Calabar, has raised an alarm over a series of unfair, inhumane treatments and persecution suffered in the hands of Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut, the Bishop of the Diocese of Atamunu.
Ringing the alarm bell in a letter addressed to the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archdiocese of Calabar on April 27th, 2025, Rev. Uloh, stated also the cancellation of his induction service, lack of support for his medical studies, verbal abuse, physical assault, and abrupt relief from his stationing.
The priest alleges that Rev. Otuekong, consistently subjected him to inhuman treatment, violating his rights and dignity. He seeks for justice and medical attention.
He said the letter was necessary in the interest of justice, fairness, and the protection of ministerial dignity within the Methodist Church Nigeria.
The letter reads “I, The Rev. Victor Okon Uloh, a Methodist Priest under the Diocese of Atamunu and a 300 Level student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Calabar, respectfully write to report to Your Grace, a series of grievous incidents and sustained unfair, inhumane treatments and persecution I have suffered in the hands of Rt. Rev. Barr. Otuekong A. Ukut, Ph.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of Atamunu.
“This report is presented for Your Grace’s kind consideration and intervention, in the interest of justice, fairness, and the protection of ministerial dignity within the Methodist Church Nigeria.
“After my posting to MPS 80 Edim Otop Street, now Methodist Church Nigeria Atimbo Road, Charles Wesley Circuit, my Induction/Reception Service was properly scheduled for July 14, 2024 by my Presbyter, The Very Rev. Emmanuel Kanu, fitting into both the Circuit Engagement Plan and Bishop’s Itinerary. I spent my personal resources and printed hundreds of invitations cards, letters and invited dignitaries and members for the event.
“Unexpectedly, without giving any genuine reason, the Bishop cancelled the induction service on 30th June 2024, instructing my Presbyter not to allow the event to hold, thereby subjecting me to public embarrassment, financial loss, emotional distress and mental stress. This act let to the exodus of some of my reputable members who got so angry and left the church.
“At the 2023 Diocesan Synod, I formally sought and was granted approval to pursue further studies in Medicine and Surgery. Pursuant to this, I applied through the Bishop for scholarship assistance from the Church, in order to alleviate the severe financial burden. Regrettably, no assistance has been provided till date, despite my deteriorating financial and academic condition.
“Following my posting as the Administrative Secretary to the Diocesan Office on October 1, 2024, no accommodation was provided. After about two months, the Bishop gave me a cheque of ₦150,000 to procure housing, which was grossly inadequate to secure accommodation for a married priest with a wife and four children.
“Consequently, I was forced to return my family to the village, where they now face hardship and deprivation, while I remain separated from them under serious emotional strain.
“The Bishop’s maltreatment of me has been consistently abusive. I have been publicly insulted, labeled an “idiot”, “stupid”, “goat”, “animal”, “mad man” and subjected to demeaning outbursts at virtually every official or casual encounter, which has led to a sharp deterioration of my mental health, morale, and professional confidence.
“On April 25th, 2025, the opening day of the Synod at Charles Wesley Circuit, I had an unavoidable practical examination at the Medical school and I sent a formal message to the Bishop seeking permission to arrive late.
The Bishop denied me the permission, but after fulfilling my urgent academic obligation, I reported to the Synod.
“During the Ministerial Session, I was ordered to stand and subjected to an abusive public interaction. Thereafter, the Bishop commanded and ridiculed me to kneel on the floor, forcefully removed and cut off the cross pendant hanging around my neck — a symbol of my ordination and ministerial office. He instructed the Synod Secretary, The Very Rev. Anthony Easien, to cease the cross pendant from me.
“Subsequently, I was ejected from the session, further compounding my humiliation and distress by the Bishop who physically assaulted me publicly.
“On Saturday, 26th April 2025, during the Representative Session of the Synod, the Bishop publicly pronounced another minister to replace me in my role and station. He declared that the new posting had Conference endorsement, thereby abruptly relieving me of my stationing without adherence to established procedures, without fair hearing, and without prior notification, in violation of my right to procedural fairness and justice.
“The Bishop’s continual suppression, verbal assaults, persecution and threats of removal have subjected me to intense emotional torture, severely impacting my studies at the University of Calabar, Medical College, especially at a critical time when I am preparing for my Part I MBBCh Professional Medical Examination next month.
“The stress has compromised my academic focus and emotional stability, putting my future, my calling, and my contribution to the Church at great risk.
“I embarked on medical studies with the express purpose of returning to serve the Church more effectively to contribute to missions, outreach, and health ministry. It is disheartening that the Bishop of my Church who should have supported and encouraged me is now pushing me into hardship and emotional pain.
“Worse still, I am the only Methodist Priest in my Archdiocese and Diocese currently studying Medicine in the University of Calabar, unlike the Catholic Priests and Reverend Sisters who are well-supported by their Church Bishops and Dioceses. It is demoralizing that, instead of receiving support, I am now abandoned and persecuted, struggling to survive on stipends while facing such a heavy academic and financial load.
“The above actions are in violation of Section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), guaranteeing the right to dignity and prohibiting inhuman or degrading treatment;
“The Constitution and Rules of Discipline of the Methodist Church Nigeria, which demand fairness, respect for the dignity of ministers, and proper procedures in administrative actions.
“In view of the foregoing, I humbly appeal to Your Grace for fatherly intervention to address the injustices, persecution and humiliation I have endured and suffered for more than a year now, restoration of my ministerial dignity, due respect, and procedural fairness; facilitation of replacement or restoration of my damaged cross pendant; emotional and pastoral support to stabilize my life and ministry, especially in this critical period of my academic journey.
“I remain loyal to the doctrines, vision, and mission of the Methodist Church Nigeria. I plead for Your Grace’s urgent intervention to save my calling, my studies, my family, and my future contributions to the Church. May the Almighty God bless and guide Your Grace abundantly.”
In another development, Rev. Uloh has sought medical attention for injuries sustained during an alleged physical assault by his bishop.
According to a medical report from the University of Calabar, signed by Dr. Kaiser William Ettah, Director of Health Services, on 30th April, 2025, Rev. Uloh presented to the facility with a 5 day history of severe pains around his neck, and mild abrasive lesions around the root, and middle 1/3d of the neck extending all around the circumference, the report stated.
He said the pains started a few days ago on the 25th of April 2025, when he was physically attacked by another man (His Bishop), while he was on his knees before the accused Reverend Otuekong Ukut.
He said Otuekong tried to suddenly and forcefully remove his priesthood chain from his neck, without his consent, and against his will.
In the process of resisting this action, the accused, who was unrelenting in his assault, eventually broke the chain into multiple pieces, from the patient’s neck.
The medical report added that the patient has been in severe pains from the neck region, from that day until now. “In addition to the physical trauma, this patient has suffered the shock arising from the suddenness of the assault, has left my patient emotionally, and therefore psychologically traumatized. We are therefore treating him for severe Myalgia and Post-Traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD), secondary to physical Assault.
“He has been commenced on the appropriate medication and he is expected to recover fully over time. He however needs all the encouragement and support he can get.”
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