The University of Calabar(UNICAL) has sacked five members of staff and demoted three others for alleged gross misconduct including fraud.
A statement by the university said the decision to sack and demote the workers was taken by the Governing Council of the institution “After thorough consideration of the report of its Disciplinary Committee” which found them “indulging in acts that contravened relevant laws of the university.”
The termination was conveyed in separate letters signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Gabriel Egbe and dated January 23, 2020.
Those affected are; Mr. Valentine Eworo and Ms Theodora Agama both of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry who were fired “for allegedly altering examination grades and results of Organic Chemistry II, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II courses for some students of the Department.”
Mr. Samuel Philip Bassey of the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts, was also sacked for allegedly defrauding the university by cloning the signatures of the immediate past and present Vice Chancellors, on a purported ‘’authorization to travel form’’ which enabled him obtain funds from the university for conference attendance.
Another staff member, Mr. Egbala Bassey of the Vice Chancellor’s office was also sacked for his alleged involvement in the acts of financial misconduct and employment racketeering.
He was accused of collecting monies from some persons with the intention of facilitating and securing employment into the university.
Also, Mrs. Roseline Etim Eyo of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies was also sacked for misconduct.
The termination and demotion takes effect from the 13th of December 2019 while that of Mrs. Roseline takes effect from May 6, 2019.
The institution also compulsorily retired two members of staff from service for allegedly engaging in corruption. While Mrs Helen Obeten was “retired from service for alleged acts of financial misconduct and employment racketeering, Mrs Felix Aya of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management was retired for gross insubordination, abandonment of duty and disrespect for constituted authorities.”
A letter signed by the Registrar of the institution and dated January 23, 2020, stated that their retirement was “sequel to a report from the University of Calabar Governing Council Disciplinary Committee report which found them culpable of the offences.”
Mrs Obeten was accused of collecting monies from some persons with the intention of facilitating and securing employment in the institution.
The letter said the action contravened section 5.7.3(iv) of the University of Calabar Conditions of Service 2014, which borders on corruption, dishonesty and sabotage against the University.
Similarly, Mrs. Felix Aya was alleged to have collected salaries from both the University and Cross River State Government simultaneously within the period under investigation, which contravened laws of the institution and violates the Civil Service Rule.
“Council also directed her to refund the money received as salary from the University of Calabar during the period she served as Commissioner II in the Local Government Service Commission, Cross River State.”
The retirements take effect from December 13, 2019.
Meanwhile, authorities of the university rusticated a 200- level student of the Department of Physics, Uzoagba Chinaemerem Goodluck over the alleged unlawful possession and smoking of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspension was conveyed in a letter signed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu and dated January 17, 2020.
Uzoagba’s suspension from studies, according to the letter, followed a report received by the Vice Chancellor about the student’s alleged possession and smoking of Indian hemp on campus.
The offence was allegedly committed at Hall 4 where he resides, on November 27, 2019.
According to the letter, “You are aware that Indian hemp is a prohibited substance on campus. The Vice Chancellor has therefore approved your suspension from studies. You are hereby suspended from your academic programme in the University of Calabar with effect from the First Semester of the 2019/2020 academic session.
“You are to remain on suspension until the student’s Disciplinary Committee concludes investigation in the matter.”
Also in the letter, the Head, Department of Physics, and the Chief Security Officer were charged to ensure full compliance with the suspension.
