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Worshippers at the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption were again denied access to their place of worship on Sunday despite a Federal High Court order restraining the university management from interfering with the chapel's activities.
Security personnel stationed at the chapel prevented members from entering the premises, reportedly acting on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong. The worshippers were also asked to leave the university campus and eventually held their service on a nearby street.
The development came despite an interim injunction granted by the Federal High Court on August 4 and reaffirmed on August 20, restraining the vice-chancellor from locking the chapel or disrupting its activities pending the determination of the suit, which has been adjourned to September 2.
The latest incident mirrors events of August 16, when worshippers were similarly barred from the chapel and conducted an open-air service near the university's fire service park.
The dispute followed the removal of the chapel's Chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie, by the vice-chancellor, who also evicted him from his official residence and appointed Rev. Israel Eyo as interim chaplain. Prof. Offiong further suspended the Chairman of the Church Council, Prof. Essien Oku, dissolved the council and constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the church's affairs, prompting legal action.
Speaking after Sunday's incident, the church council's secretary, Mr. Imo Nse, said members had expected the court's order to guarantee their freedom of worship while the case remained before the court. He stressed that the congregation would continue to abide by the law while seeking judicial resolution of the dispute.
