RismadarVoice Reporters, August 10, 2026
The Cross River State Police Command has intervened in a dispute at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar (UNICAL), stopping a Sunday worship service to prevent a possible outbreak of violence.
The incident reportedly occurred when the university’s caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice-Chancellor attempted to assume control of a service being conducted by the chapel’s substantive chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie.
The disagreement created tension among worshippers and eventually prompted police intervention.
Speaking to journalists, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Godwin Etim, said he ordered the service to be suspended after assessing the situation and determining that allowing it to continue could result in violence.
Etim said the police engaged Rev. Ushie, the interim chaplain and a member of the church’s Board of Trustees, after which the parties agreed to suspend the service in the interest of peace.
He added that representatives of the opposing sides had been invited to the police command for a meeting on Monday, while urging them to remain calm and resolve the dispute peacefully.
The latest development is connected to an ongoing legal dispute over the management and activities of the university chapel.
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had previously issued an order restraining the Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and anyone acting through him from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
Rev. Ushie had approached the court through his counsel, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN, seeking protection against alleged intimidation, threats and assault in connection with his worship activities at the chapel.
Justice Phoebe Ayuba, after hearing submissions from the applicant’s counsel, granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents and anyone acting on their behalf from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
The court also directed the parties to maintain the existing situation pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The case has been scheduled for further hearing on August 20, 2026.
The police intervention came as a precautionary measure to prevent the dispute from escalating into violence and to maintain peace among members of the university community.
