The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended Dr. Joseph Idung, a lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, over allegations of extortion involving students’ fees.
The suspension follows accusations that Dr. Idung collected money from students for their induction into the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) but refused to return the funds after failing to organize the induction or professional exams.
The university took swift action, suspending Dr. Idung and launching an investigation into the matter.
The suspension of Dr. Idung was confirmed in a letter signed by the university’s Registrar, Gabriel Egbe. In the letter, the UNICAL administration expressed disappointment with the lecturer’s refusal to return the money collected from the students.
Dr. Idung allegedly collected N100,000 from each final year student for their induction into the professional body. However, students claim that despite paying the required fees, they have yet to participate in any induction or professional exam.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Florence Obi, directed that Dr. Idung hand over all university property in his possession and stay off the university campus except when invited for questioning.
An official university statement reads: “The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, has ordered that Dr. Idung immediately hand over all university property to his Head of Department. He is also instructed to stay off campus unless invited by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), which is now handling the investigation.”
The scandal came to light when a group of final year students from the Department of Science Laboratory Technology spoke up about their grievances. They revealed that they were asked to pay N100,000 each for their induction into the NISLT, a professional body that certifies graduates in the field of Science Laboratory Technology.
The aggrieved students, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were told the payment was mandatory and would guarantee their participation in the professional induction. However, months passed, and neither the induction nor any professional exams took place.
The administration of the University of Calabar wasted no time in addressing the issue. The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) is leading the investigation to determine whether Dr. Idung misappropriated the funds collected from students.
As part of his suspension, Dr. Idung has been placed on half salary until the investigation is concluded. The university has emphasized that it will not tolerate any form of corruption or exploitation of students.
This case comes at a time when the university is under increased scrutiny following a string of allegations against lecturers. In fact, Dr. Idung’s suspension comes just days after the suspension of another UNICAL lecturer, Dr. Joseph Akpan, the Acting Head of the Department of Pharmacology, for altering students’ examination scores.
In response to these incidents, the university’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability among its staff members.
UNICAL’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, has made it clear that the university is determined to uphold ethical standards and protect students from exploitation. The administration has promised to take further steps to ensure transparency in all dealings between lecturers and students.
“We want to assure the students that the university will leave no stone unturned in investigating this matter. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity,” said Professor Obi.
