Police halt church service at UNICAL amid leadership dispute
The Cross River State Police Command on Sunday intervened in a tense situation at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar, UNICAL, suspending a church service to prevent a possible outbreak of violence. The disruption occurred when a university caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice-Chancellor attempted to assume control of a service already […] Police halt…
On Sunday, Cross River State Police Command stepped in to halt a church service at Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar (UNICAL) to avert potential violence. The disturbance erupted when a university caretaker committee and an interim chaplain, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, sought to take charge of a service in progress led by the chapel's pastor, Rev. Joseph Ushie. This situation created confusion and heightened tensions among the congregation.
The decision to cease the service was made by Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Godwin Etim, to maintain law and order. He explained that allowing the service to continue could have led to violence due to the evident tension. Etim revealed that discussions were held with Ushie, the interim chaplain, and a representative from the church's Board of Trustees, resulting in the agreed suspension of the service for the sake of peace.
The involved parties have been invited to meet with the police command on Monday, and the reporter urged all concerned to remain calm. This incident transpired despite an existing Federal High Court order in Port Harcourt that prohibited the University of Calabar Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and anyone acting under his authority, from meddling in the Chapel of Redemption's affairs and activities.
Rev. Ushie had previously filed a lawsuit against the Vice-Chancellor, the university Registrar, Dr. Chukwuka Icha, and other defendants through his attorney, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN, seeking protection from alleged intimidation and threats to his right to worship at the chapel.
Justice Phoebe Ayua of the Federal High Court granted an injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from interfering with the chapel's operations. The court further ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the hearing of the substantive matter, set for August 20, 2026. The police expressed optimism that dialogue and adherence to the court's directive would help resolve the dispute amicably.
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