UNICAL Moves to Address Law Admission Irregularities, Tells Students to Return To Original Dept
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has commenced measures to correct irregularities in admissions into its Faculty of Law, with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, appealing to affected students to cooperate by returning to the academic programmes to which they were originally admitted through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The Vice-Chancellor made the appeal during a meeting with affected Law students from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, where the university management explained the need for the corrective measures.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Anthony Afam Okiwelu, the Vice-Chancellor said the exercise forms part of the administration's commitment to sanitising the university system and restoring public confidence in the institution.
He noted that the University of Calabar had recently received negative public attention over admission irregularities, stressing that the present administration is determined to begin afresh by correcting the anomalies and ensuring strict compliance with regulatory requirements.
Prof. Offiong described the situation as a major challenge requiring the understanding and cooperation of all affected students, adding that the university's actions are aimed at protecting both the students and the institution.
He explained that allowing students who were not originally admitted into the Faculty of Law through JAMB to remain in the programme could attract severe sanctions from the relevant regulatory authorities and jeopardise the future of the faculty of law.
According to him, "We advise every student who transferred from the programme to which JAMB originally admitted them into Law to return to their original departments in line with the admission records."
He warned that if the affected students were allowed to continue in the Faculty of Law, they will be unable to graduate as Law students or qualify for admission into the Nigerian Law School if the irregularities were discovered by the Council of Legal Education.
He further stated that such a development could also result in the suspension of further admissions into the Faculty of Law, thereby damaging the reputation of the University of Calabar and denying future applicants the opportunity to study Law at the institution.
Additionally , Providing details of the irregularities, Prof. Offiong disclosed that out of 435 students currently in the second year of the Faculty of Law, only 221 were originally admitted into the programme through JAMB, a situation he said contravenes the regulations of both JAMB and the Council of Legal Education.
To further cushion the impact of the decision on the affected students, he announced that the university management had approved the transfer of school fees already paid for the 2025/2026 academic session to the 2026/2027 academic session in their original departments.
He added that students who choose not to continue their studies at the university would be eligible for refunds of their school fees upon submitting the necessary applications, assuring them that management would ensure due process in handling such requests.
The Vice-Chancellor appealed to the affected students not to lose hope, emphasising that the corrective measures are in their best interest and are intended to safeguard their academic future while protecting the integrity of the university.
He reiterated the university's commitment to transparency, accountability and adherence to statutory admission guidelines, stressing that the ongoing exercise is essential to restoring the credibility and good image of the University of Calabar.
Public Relations Unit University of Calabar
