UNICAL VC defies court order, bars worshippers from varsity chapel

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Offiong, on Sunday, barred worshippers from accessing the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption for their service.

This is despite a Federal High Court injunction restraining the VC from interfering with the chapel’s activities or locking its premises.

The court issued the injunction on August 4 and sustained it on August 20, 2026, with the matter adjourned until Sept. 2.

However, UNICAL security personnel prevented members of the chapel from entering the church premises on Sunday, saying they had received directive from the vice-chancellor to prevent the service.

The security officials also ordered the worshippers to leave the university campus, forcing them to relocate their service to a nearby street.

The UNICAL Deputy Chief Security Officer, Monday Johnson, said his job was at risk if the worshippers refused to leave the university premises as they were acting on an order.

The worshippers complied and moved to a nearby street, where they conducted their service.

The secretary of the church council, Imo Nse, said members expected the court’s injunction to protect their right to worship pending determination of the case.

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“We remain committed to obeying the law, our only demand is freedom to worship while this matter remains before the court,” Nse said.

The development is similar to the situation on August 16, when worshippers were denied access and held an open-air service around the fire service park in UNICAL.

Earlier, Offiong had Rev. Joseph Ushie as the chapel’s Chaplain, evicted him from his university quarters and appointed an interim Chaplain, Rev. Israel Eyo.

Offiong also suspended Prof. Essien Oku, chairman of the church council, and dissolved the council against the provisions of the church’s constitution.

The UNICAL VC subsequently appointed a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the church, prompting Ushie to approach the Federal High Court.