UniCal VC defies court injunction, bars worshippers from chapel again

Members of UniCal Chapel of Redemption holding their Sunday service on a street in Calabar after they were sent out of the university premises

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 service.

This is in spite of 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 Aug. 4 and sustained it on Aug. 20, with the matter adjourned until Sept. 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that university security personnel prevented members of the chapel from entering the church premises, claiming they had received a 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 development is similar to the situation on Aug. 16, when worshippers were denied access and held an open-air service around the fire service park on campus.

Earlier, 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, contrary to 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 at the university, 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.

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

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