BREAKING: Industrial Court Dismisses Suit Challenging UNICAL VCship Selection Process
By Bassey BASSEY
At last, the Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the case challenging the selection process of the next Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar.
The Court dismissed the case for lack of merit.
In his ruling, Hon. Justice E. D. Subilim said the case lacks locus standing and that Prof. Duke has no legal capacity to approach the matter.
He also said Prof Duke commenced the beyond three months required by law. Thus, the full dismissal and cannot be brought back to the court
Recall that Prof. Joseph Eyo Duke has challenged the selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) at the National Industrial Court, Calabar.
In Suit No. NICN/CA/40/2025 filed by Professor Joseph Eyo Duke, the claimant challenged the advertisement published on 27 May 2025 which stipulated that applicants must possess at least 10 years of post-professorial experience.
Prof. Duke argued that this requirement emanated from an emergency council meeting held on 25 March 2025, which he described as “unlawful…that the criterion is rooted in a non-existent regulation”
The motion ex-parte, dated and filed on 21 July 2025, sought an interim injunction restraining UNICAL and its Governing Council from enforcing or acting upon the advertisement pending determination of the motion on notice. Upon hearing counsel to the claimant, Ubong Akpan, Esq., Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado granted an accelerated hearing of both the motion on notice and the substantive suit.
He also ordered the transfer of the matter to Abuja to be heard by a vacation judge. The Court directed all parties to maintain the status quo, refraining from any action that could jeopardise the fair hearing of the suit.
The Governing Council of the institution had declared the position of Vice-Chancellor vacant in line with the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provisions) Decree No. 11 of 1993 (as amended),
The UNICAL Council commenced the process of filling the vacancy of the University new VC with effect from 1st December, 2025. The University of Calabar came into being in response to Decree No. 80 of 1979. Starting academic work in 1975.
The qualifications/requirements of candidates for the post of the VC include holding the rank of Professor for at least ten (10) years by December 1, 2025, must have a distinguished academic record with significant contributions to research and scholarship, and must have published in academic journals that are both of National and International repute.
Other requirements include having had a wide range of academic and administrative experience, be a fair-minded and dynamic individual with a reputation that is impeccable in his dealing with people at all levels, possess requisite and relevant managerial experience to be able to provide leadership to the University, enjoy certified excellent medical and mental health, be a person of proven probity and integrity, and be a tested and excellent manager of resources.
The statement signed by Dr. (Mrs.) Chukwuka I. Icha, Registrar and Secretary to Council, notes that candidates must not be more than 65 years of age at the time of assumption of office on December 1, 2025 and the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a single term of 5 years.
Investigations by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that about 12 candidates have applied for the loum position including Prof. Eyong Ubana, Dean, Post Graduate College, Prof. Oyo Ita, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong, Prof. Ayi Ita Ayi, Prof. Benedict .I. Ita (all Chemistry) and Prof. Ndem Ayara (social science) have all submitted applications to contest the Vice Chanellorship position.
MORE details later.......
