UNICAL fires 8 staff due to alleged exam fraud, absenteeism, etc

The University of Calabar said nine members of its teaching and non-teaching staff found themselves on the wrong side of the institution’s disciplinary action for various offences.

A further eight of them have been dismissed for various offences, including exam errors, absenteeism and dereliction of duty, while the promotion of one other staff member has been delayed for two years.

The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of the university, Dr Icha Chukwuka, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Calabar.

The statement read, “No less than nine (9) staff of the University of Calabar, teaching and non-teaching, found themselves on the wrong end of institutional disciplinary action for various offences.

The decision was taken at the 174th University Governing Council Meeting, after considering reports of disciplinary cases submitted to it.

Based on this information, Prof. Emilia Oyira from the Department of Nursing Sciences was dismissed due to alleged inspection violations.

Four other staff members – Mr Ukachukwu Echezunachi Darlington of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Ms Akinrinade Opayemi Ogunluyi of the Department of Microbiology, Dr Arum Priscilia Nchekwube of the Department of Internal Medicine, and Ms Okoi Nyesam Eni of the Clinical Medical Hostel – were dismissed for alleged absence of duty and abandonment of post.

Also dismissed were Mr Joseph Edet Okon of the Works Department on charges of damaging and taking away armored cables, and Mr Eworo Valentine Ibor of the Pure and Applied Chemistry Department on suspicion of falsifying and altering inspection results.

Additionally, Mr. Emmanuel Adariku from the UNICAL Alumni Relations Office was fired for alleged unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the “Friends of Malabor Alumni Trust Fund” account.

The board also approved a two-year suspension in the promotion of Dr Mathias Agba from the Department of Nursing Sciences, with 50 per cent forfeiture of his salary, due to dereliction of duty and alleged inspection violations.

The university management reiterated its zero tolerance towards any form of unethical practices, adding that the administration of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, remains committed to rebranding the institution based on integrity and excellence in service delivery.

“The administration of the Vice Chancellor; Prof. Offiong Offiong remains committed to rebranding the institution on the basis of integrity, excellence in service delivery and zero tolerance for all forms of unethical practices,” he said.