Calabar –the National Industrial Court (NIC), Calabar Division, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Professor Austine Angba as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS). The judgment, delivered on Thursday in Suit No. NICN/CA/34/2024, declared that Prof. Angba’s suspension by the university’s governing council last year was in violation of the provisions of the Act establishing UNICROSS NEGROIDHAVEN has learnt.
Prof. Angba was suspended from his position as Vice Chancellor on 6th of May 2024 by the university’s governing council, a move that sparked controversy. The suspension led to months of uncertainty regarding the leadership of the institution, with stakeholders expressing concerns over the impact on the university’s administration and academic activities.
In its judgment, the court ruled that the suspension was unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of the Act establishing UNICROSS. The presiding judge emphasized that due process was not followed in Prof. Angba’s suspension, and as such, his removal from the office was invalid.
The court’s decision mandates the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Angba to his position as Vice Chancellor, effectively ending the leadership crisis that had plagued the institution for months. It is yet unknown if the governing council will appeal the judgement of the national industrial court.
Until his recent reinstatement, UNICROSS has not had a substantive Vice Chancellor. She has had VC’s in acting capacity with Prof. Francisca Bassey being the current Acting VC appointed in January this year.
