UNICAL Lecturer suspended over fraud and misconduct

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended Dr Joseph Idung, a lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology.

According to Tribune, a suspension letter from Registrar Gabriel Egbe says that Dr. Idung failed to repay fees received from students for their entrance into the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT).

This decision comes just days after Dr. Joseph Akpan, the Acting Head of the Department of Pharmacology, was suspended and dismissed after the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC) revealed his involvement in altering examination scores in PHM 311 (Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology).

The adminstration expressed disappointment with Dr. Idung’s unwillingness to repay the allegedly extorted funds. According to the letter, Vice-Chancellor Professor Florence Obi has ordered his suspension from university responsibilities to enable him to appear before the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), which is investigating the matter.

He has also been directed to relinquish any university property in his possession to the Head of the Department and to avoid campus until he responds to the ACTU’s summons.

Additionally, the letter instructs the Bursar to pay Dr. Idung half of his salary throughout the suspension term.