GMCN, Bishop Wesley distances self from media report on DSS arrest of Pastor Yoila
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO
The immediate past Bishop of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN), Bishop John Wesley Yohanna has distanced himself from a media publication being circulated that he condemned the arrest of Pastor Bazel Yoila by the operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) in Taraba State.
Bishop John Wesley Yohanna (Rtd)
In a statement, signed and issued to Journalists in Jalingo, the man of God said the publication titled, “Bishop John Wesley condemns DSS arrest Rev. Bazel Yoila”, circulated through some media platforms was a misinformation.
“I, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, retired Bishop Emeritus of the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria, hereby categorically distance myself from the publication titled “Bishop John Wesley Condemns DSS Arrest of Rev. Bazel Yoila circulated by Taraba Dailygraph and other platforms”, he said.
The cleric who said, any statement attributed to him suggesting firsthand knowledge or a definitive position on the incident was not based on verified information from him.
He added that owing to his current health condition, he was unable to physically avail himself at the scene or properly ascertain the facts surrounding the matter.
“I wish to clarify that I was visited by some young men whom I believed to be Christian brethren, individuals who have customarily paid me visits even during my active years of service in the vineyard of God”, Unknown to me at the time, their visit was intended to extract a narrative, and one of them later brought to my attention a version of events that turned out to be misinformation”,
“To my greatest surprise, these same individuals proceeded to publish a completely different version of the story without my consent or authorization”,
“I strongly condemn the use of my name to promote misinformation, seek undue relevance, or tarnish an image I have built over a lifetime of dedicated service to the Church. Throughout my life, I have laboured faithfully for the body of Christ and today stand retired in the Church with my integrity intact”,
“Consequently, I disassociate myself entirely from the said publication and any misrepresentation of my person or position regarding the arrest of Rev. Bazel Yoila by the Department of State Services. And I tender my unreserved apology”, he added.
