Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Offiong Offiong, on Sunday, August 23, 2026, once again defied a subsisting Federal High Court injunction by barring worshippers from accessing the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption for their weekly service, forcing the congregation to relocate to a nearby street in Calabar. This marks the second time in August that members of the chapel have been denied access to their place of worship, despite a court order issued on August 4 and sustained on August 20, 2026, which explicitly restrained the vice-chancellor from interfering with the chapel's activities or locking its premises. The matter has been adjourned to September 2, 2026, for further hearing.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, university security personnel prevented members of the chapel from entering the church premises, claiming they were acting on a direct order from the vice-chancellor. The security officials also ordered the worshippers to leave the university campus, forcing them to conduct their service on a nearby street. The Deputy Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Monday Johnson, told the worshippers that his job was at risk if he allowed them to remain on the premises, as he was acting on an order.
The dispute dates back to earlier administrative actions taken by Vice-Chancellor Offiong against the chapel's leadership. He removed Reverend Joseph Ushie as the chaplain, evicted him from his university quarters, and appointed an interim chaplain, Reverend Israel Eyo. The vice-chancellor also suspended Professor Essien Oku, chairman of the church council, dissolved the council in violation of the church's constitution, and appointed a caretaker committee to oversee the church's affairs. These actions prompted Chaplain Ushie to approach the Federal High Court, which subsequently issued the injunction restraining the vice-chancellor and his agents from interfering with the chapel's activities pending the determination of the case.
The secretary of the church council, Mr. Imo Nse, expressed disappointment over the continued defiance of the court order, stating that members had expected the injunction to protect their right to worship while the case remains before the court. "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 has raised serious questions about the respect for the rule of law and judicial authority within Nigeria's public institutions. The vice-chancellor's repeated defiance of a court order, despite the clear legal injunction, underscores a troubling trend of institutional impunity and disregard for the judiciary. As the matter heads back to court on September 2, the university community and the wider public will be watching to see whether the judiciary will enforce its orders and uphold the fundamental rights of citizens to worship freely.
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