UNICAL VC Continues to Violate Court Order, Bars Worshippers from Chapel

By Lawrence Mpama

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Offiong, on Sunday barred worshippers from accessing the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption for their Sunday morning service.
This occurred despite a Federal High Court injunction restraining the Vice-Chancellor from interfering with the chapel’s activities or locking its premises. The court had issued the injunction on August 4 and sustained it on August 20, with the matter adjourned until September 2.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed university security personnel prevented members of the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption from entering the church premises, claiming they had received a directive from the Vice-Chancellor to stop the service. Security officials also ordered the worshippers to leave the university campus altogether, forcing them to relocate their service to a nearby street.
The development mirrored the situation on August 16, when worshippers were similarly denied access and held an open-air service around the fire service park within the university.

Earlier, Prof. Offiong had removed Rev. Joseph Ushie as the chapel’s chaplain, evicted him from his university quarters, and appointed an interim chaplain, Rev. Israel Eyo. The Vice-Chancellor also suspended Prof. Essien Oku, chairman of the church council, and dissolved the council in violation of the church’s constitution. He subsequently appointed a caretaker committee to oversee the church’s affairs, prompting Ushie to approach the Federal High Court.
NAN reports that Mr. Monday Johnson, Deputy Chief Security Officer of the university, told worshippers that his job would be at risk if they refused to leave the university premises. The worshippers complied and moved to a nearby street to conduct their service. However, university authorities allegedly informed the Cross River Police Command that the worshippers had barricaded the university entrance. DCP Godwin Etim arrived with police personnel and, after observing the situation, found the allegation to be untrue and left the area.
Mr. Imo Nse, Secretary of the church council, said members had expected the court’s injunction to protect their right to worship pending determination of the case. He added that the worshippers remained committed to obeying the law, and that their only demand was freedom to worship while the matter was before the court.
Counsel to Ushie, Mba Ukweni, SAN, had argued that the Vice-Chancellor lacked authority under the University of Calabar Act to administer or control the church. The court adjourned the case until September 2 for arguments on the substantive application.

The blatant and flagrant violation of the Federal High Court’s injunction by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, and five others, took a dangerous turn when university security personnel acting on Prof. Offiong’s orders barricaded the entire premises of the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption Church, preventing worshippers who had come for Sunday service from entering.
This brazen disregard for a legitimate court order came shortly after the same court, sitting  in Port Harcourt on Thursday, August 20, 2026, reiterated and sustained the restraining order regarding access to the church and it activities.
Congregants who arrived at the church were shocked to find armed university security personnel stationed throughout the premises, turning worshippers away. This smacks of a flagrant abuse of power and a stark display of totalitarianism on the part of the university’s leadership.
Worship Continued outside the game gates.
Despite being barred from the church auditorium, the congregants gathered outside the university, beside Camp David, and had a joyful and refreshing time worshipping God. More than 134 congregants took part in the Sunday morning service.

In a brief but touching exhortation after praise and worship, the Reverend Minister reminded the congregation that perilous times are upon them, and that persecution will come — but God Almighty will always stand by His children. He urged worshippers to remain calm and patient, assuring them that God Almighty would soon reveal that He is the true owner of His church.
Offerings were then made to God amid melodious singing from the praise and worship team, as congregants danced and praised God for His benevolence and mercy, which had enabled them to gather and offer Him quality worship, regardless of the circumstances and environment.