The Upper Area Court in Jalingo has struck out a suit seeking to block the resumption of worship at the Jatutu Memorial Cathedral, paving the way for the United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN) to reopen the facility after more than 14 years of closure.
The ruling, delivered by Presiding Judge Barkindo Chiroma, dismissed the case filed by Reverend Philip Audu on behalf of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria (GMCN), which aimed to restrain UMCN activities at the cathedral amid a long-running dispute over ownership and control.
The cathedral had remained shut since escalating tensions linked to broader denominational realignments within global Methodism, mirroring schisms seen in other regions.
The case followed a Taraba State Government directive ordering the cathedral’s reopening after failed reconciliation efforts between the rival factions.
In striking out the suit, the court ruled that the plaintiff lacked legal standing (locus standi) to sue personally on behalf of an institution and deemed the action an abuse of court process.
The judge set aside an earlier interim order that had restrained worship and ordered the complainant to pay N1 million in costs.
Church activities at the Jatutu Memorial Cathedral have since resumed in full.
Bishop Ande Emmanuel, Bishop of UMCN and Districts of Senegal and Cameroon, who was the lead defendant alongside five other UMCN pastors, expressed relief at avoiding prolonged litigation.
“It is not my intention to be in court; my work is in the church. But my brethren have chosen to bring me here, despite my insistence to resolve these things amicably,” Bishop Emmanuel said.
Chancellor of UMCN, Benjamin Panya, hailed the decision as a victory for justice.
“The judiciary remains the hope of the ordinary citizen,” he stated.
UMCN leaders urged members to remain peaceful and law-abiding while emphasizing a preference for dialogue.
In response, GMCN Bishop Rev. John Pena (represented by Bazel Yoila, Conference Superintendent of the Southern Nigeria Annual Conference) described the ruling as unjust and announced plans to appeal.
The faction called on state and federal authorities to intervene, labeling the outcome an injustice against their church, while also urging calm among members pending appellate proceedings.
