Court Halts UNICAL Recruitment: Over 800 Disengaged Staff Drag Vice Chancellor Prof. Florence Obi to Court
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.

National Industrial Court Orders Suspension of Ongoing Employment Exercise

The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has issued a restraining order stopping the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Banku Obi, from continuing the institution’s ongoing employment exercise. The interim order follows a suit filed by over 800 disengaged staff members, who were employed during the tenure of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, but later relieved of their positions.

According to reports obtained by Akahi News, the plaintiffs accused the current UNICAL management of unlawfully terminating their appointments without due process, alleging that the new recruitment drive was an attempt to replace them unjustly.

The court’s directive effectively puts the university’s recruitment process on hold pending the determination of the substantive case.

How the Employment Crisis at UNICAL Began

The legal dispute traces back to 2020 when Prof. Florence Obi assumed office as the institution’s first female Vice Chancellor. Shortly after her appointment, she reportedly declared the previous employment exercise conducted under Prof. Zana Akpagu as irregular, citing procedural and administrative violations.

Consequently, the new management disengaged hundreds of staff members employed during Akpagu’s administration — a move that triggered widespread criticism and emotional appeals from within and outside the university community.

Despite repeated calls by labour advocates and community leaders for reconsideration, Prof. Obi’s administration allegedly stood firm on its position, insisting that the appointments were not properly documented and did not follow established recruitment procedures.

Sacked Workers Turn to the Court for Justice

The affected workers, numbering over 800, have now taken legal action to challenge what they describe as “an injustice and economic victimisation.” In their statement to the court, they sought immediate intervention to halt the recruitment of new staff until their case is resolved.

One of the aggrieved employees, who spoke to News Week Nigeria and whose comments were later obtained by Akahi News, expressed deep frustration over the prolonged unemployment and economic hardship faced by the disengaged workers.

“We were employed through due process under the former VC, but after Prof. Obi came in, she terminated our jobs, saying the exercise was illegal. We begged, appealed, and even had influential people intervene, but all efforts failed. Now, she has started a fresh employment process to replace us. That is why we went to court — to stop the injustice,” the staff member lamented.

According to court filings, the applicants prayed for an injunction to prevent the university from conducting or finalising any employment process pending the hearing and determination of their suit.

UNICAL Management Silent on Court Order

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the University of Calabar’s Public Relations Office proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the institution’s PRO reportedly went unanswered.

However, Akahi News gathered from sources within the university that the management may seek legal clarification on the scope of the court’s restraining order before issuing an official response.

A senior administrative officer, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said:

“The university management respects the rule of law, but the court’s order has just been served. The legal department is reviewing it before advising the Vice Chancellor on the next steps.”

Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal observers believe that the court’s decision to issue an interim injunction underscores the seriousness of the matter. Barrister Tunde Ogunjimi, a labour rights advocate, explained that the court’s intervention is meant to preserve the status quo until a fair hearing is conducted.

“This ruling doesn’t mean the plaintiffs have won. It’s a temporary protection to ensure that no irreversible action, such as hiring new employees, is taken while the case is ongoing,” Ogunjimi told Akahi News.

He further noted that the case could set a significant precedent for employment disputes in Nigerian universities, particularly where transitions in leadership often lead to reversals of earlier administrative decisions.

A Crisis with Broader Implications

Observers say the development could deepen tension within UNICAL’s workforce and complicate relations between the current administration and staff unions. Many fear that the prolonged uncertainty may disrupt academic activities and dampen morale within the university community.

Meanwhile, the affected staff continue to call on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene and mediate a resolution.

According to sources, the matter has been adjourned for further hearing in the coming weeks, and all parties have been directed to maintain peace and comply fully with the court’s order.

Looking Ahead: What Next for UNICAL?

The UNICAL employment saga has once again exposed the systemic flaws in university recruitment practices and the political undercurrents often influencing such decisions. Analysts believe that a transparent and merit-driven approach is crucial if the institution hopes to regain stability and public trust.

As the case proceeds, the focus now shifts to the National Industrial Court, which will determine whether the disengaged staff were lawfully terminated and whether the university acted within its powers.

For now, all eyes remain on Prof. Florence Obi’s administration, as stakeholders await her next move in a controversy that has drawn national attention and revived debates about employment integrity in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org