Court Orders Restoration of United Methodist Church Name, Voids CAC Changes
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) remains the legally recognised name registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), nullifying any alteration made to it.
In his judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the CAC to immediately revert the church’s name from Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) back to UMCN.
The court also invalidated the changes made to the church’s board of trustees on October 19, 2024, declaring them unlawful, null, and void.
Additionally, the judge ordered Zenith Bank Plc to grant members of the UMCN full access and control over all church accounts domiciled with the bank.
Justice Egwuatu held that the name change to GMCN did not follow due legal process and was inconsistent with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), particularly regarding procedures for altering the name and trustees of an incorporated body.
He further emphasised that members of any association, including a church, are bound by its constitution and must adhere to its established rules. He noted that individuals may choose to leave an association but cannot alter its identity without due process.
The case was initiated by four members of the church—Benjamin Simon, Rev. Dr. Eunice Iliya, Bishop Emmanuel Ande, and Rev. Eli Yaku—who filed the suit on behalf of the wider UMCN membership. The defendants in the matter were the CAC, the Incorporated Trustees of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria, and Zenith Bank Plc.
The dispute stemmed from the approval of a name change by the CAC, reportedly requested by a faction within the church. The plaintiffs challenged the decision, arguing that it violated both legal requirements and the church’s internal governance structure.
Represented by their counsel, Chinedu Udora, the plaintiffs sought multiple reliefs, questioning the legality of the name change under the church’s constitution. The court ultimately granted all the reliefs sought.
Earlier, the court dismissed an application by the CAC seeking to halt the delivery of judgment, describing the move as an abuse of court process and noting that the matter had already been concluded.
Reacting to the ruling, the Presiding Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal, Emmanuel Ande, described the decision as a reaffirmation of due process and the rule of law, while also calling for reconciliation among members of the divided church community.