The Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has dismissed eight members of staff and sanctioned another over offences ranging from examination malpractice and result falsification to abandonment of duty, unauthorized withdrawal of funds and vandalism.

The disciplinary measures were approved at the 174th meeting of the University’s Governing Council held on July 3, 2026, following the consideration of reports submitted by the institution’s disciplinary committee.

A memo dated July 17, 2026, and signed by the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Chukwuka I. Icha, stated that the Council took the decisions after deliberating on the disciplinary cases brought before it.

“At the 174th meeting of the University of Calabar 14th Governing Council held on Friday, 3rd July, 2026, Council deliberated on the report of disciplinary cases presented and took the following decisions,” the memo read.

Among those dismissed is Prof. Emilia Oyira of the Department of Nursing Science over alleged examination misconduct.

Also affected is Mr. Emmanuel Adariku of the UNICAL Alumni Relations Office, who was dismissed over the alleged unauthorized withdrawal of funds from The Friends of Malabor/Alumni Trust Fund account.

Three academic staff members, Mr. Ukachukwu Echezunachi Darlington of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Mrs. Akinrinade Opeyemi Ogunluyi of the Department of Microbiology, and Dr. Arum Priscilia Nchekwube of the Department of Internal Medicine, were also dismissed for alleged abandonment of duty.

The Council further approved the dismissal of Mr. Joseph Edet Okon of the Works Department over the alleged vandalization and carting away of armoured cables, Mrs. Okoi Nyesam Eni of the Clinical Medical Hostel for alleged absence and abandonment of duty, and Mr. Eworo Valentine Ibor of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry over alleged falsification and alteration of examination results.

According to the memo, while eight staff members lost their appointments, Dr. Mathias Agba of the Department of Nursing Science received a lesser punishment for negligence of duty in respect of alleged examination misconduct. The Council deferred his promotion by two promotional years and ordered the forfeiture of 50 per cent of his withheld salary. (Guardian)

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