𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐒 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒,
𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋 (𝐍𝐔𝐂𝐉-𝐔𝐂𝐂)
05/10/2026
Court Orders UNICAL to Grant 214 Law Students Unrestricted Access to Lectures, Portal
By UMOH SAMUEL
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to grant 214 affected law students unrestricted access to lectures, the students’ portal and other academic amenities pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The order was issued by Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik in the case of Chidi Glad & 213 Ors. v. University of Calabar & 3 Ors.
The development was disclosed in a statement posted on Facebook by Bernard Okpi Esq., Managing Partner of OBA Attorneys, who represented the affected students in the matter.
According to Okpi, the court proceedings featured legal arguments from both the students’ legal team and counsel representing the defendants.
Okpi appeared alongside Confidence Mbang Esq., Bennedict Otu Esq., Udoh Ekanem Esq. and Kenneth Ibobo Esq. for the 214 law students, while Jonas Abuo Esq. and Akiba-Eyo Veronica Esq. represented the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.
In his account of the proceedings, Okpi stated that counsel for the defendants, Jonas Abuo Esq., informed the court that although the defendants had been served with the originating processes, they were unable to file their response because the Vice Chancellor and Registrar were out of the country.
Abuo reportedly told the court that he had only filed a conditional memorandum of appearance and requested an adjournment to allow the defence to respond to the suit.
Opposing the request, Okpi argued that the defendants had been served on August 24, 2026, and had already exhausted the statutory 30-day period for filing their response.
He urged the court to proceed with the hearing or, if an adjournment was granted, award ₦2 million in costs against the defendants and allow the claimants to move their motion for interlocutory injunction.
Following the arguments, Justice Abdulmalik delivered a bench ruling and granted the interlocutory orders sought by the claimants.
The court consequently ordered the University authorities to maintain the status quo and immediately restore full academic access to the 214 affected law students pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The information was contained in a statement signed by Bernard Okpi Esq., Managing Partner, OBA Attorneys, and published on his Facebook page.
Signed:
COMR. FASORANTI TIMILEHIN FRANCIS
EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT,
NUCJ-UCC
+234 813 322 9898