Police officers have intervened in a leadership dispute at the University of Calabar
(UNICAL) Chapel of Redemption, stopping a Sunday service to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
The incident occurred when the university’s caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice-Chancellor attempted to take control of the service being conducted by the chapel’s substantive Chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie.
The development reportedly caused confusion among worshippers and heightened tension inside the chapel, prompting the police to intervene and terminate the service.
DCP Godwin Etim of the Cross River State Police Command said he ordered the suspension of the service after assessing the situation.
“There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church,” he said.
Etim disclosed that he held discussions with the substantive chaplain, the interim chaplain and a member of the chapel’s Board of Trustees.
According to him, the parties agreed to suspend the service to prevent a possible escalation. He added that the disputing groups had been invited to the police command for a meeting on Monday.
The police officer urged all parties to remain calm and avoid actions capable of worsening the situation.
The dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which has issued an order restraining the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and persons acting through him from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
Rev. Ushie had filed a suit against the Vice-Chancellor, the university Registrar, Dr Chukwuka Icha, and three others through his counsel, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN.
He had asked the court to restrain the defendants from intimidating, threatening or assaulting him while exercising his right to worship at the chapel.
Justice Phoebe Ayuba subsequently granted an injunction restraining the respondents and anyone acting through them from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
The court also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The case has been fixed for August 20.
The latest confrontation has further deepened the leadership crisis at the chapel, with the police intervention and the pending court proceedings now central to efforts to resolve the dispute.Police officers have intervened in a leadership dispute at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Chapel of Redemption, stopping a Sunday service to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
The incident occurred when the university’s caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice-Chancellor attempted to take control of the service being conducted by the chapel’s substantive Chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie.
The development reportedly caused confusion among worshippers and heightened tension inside the chapel, prompting the police to intervene and terminate the service.
DCP Godwin Etim of the Cross River State Police Command said he ordered the suspension of the service after assessing the situation.
“There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church,” he said.
Etim disclosed that he held discussions with the substantive chaplain, the interim chaplain and a member of the chapel’s Board of Trustees.
According to him, the parties agreed to suspend the service to prevent a possible escalation. He added that the disputing groups had been invited to the police command for a meeting on Monday.
The police officer urged all parties to remain calm and avoid actions capable of worsening the situation.
The dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which has issued an order restraining the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and persons acting through him from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
Rev. Ushie had filed a suit against the Vice-Chancellor, the university Registrar, Dr Chukwuka Icha, and three others through his counsel, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN.
He had asked the court to restrain the defendants from intimidating, threatening or assaulting him while exercising his right to worship at the chapel.
Justice Phoebe Ayuba subsequently granted an injunction restraining the respondents and anyone acting through them from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
The court also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The case has been fixed for August 20.
The latest confrontation has further deepened the leadership crisis at the chapel, with the police intervention and the pending court proceedings now central to efforts to resolve the dispute.
