A Sunday worship service at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar, was abruptly halted after a leadership dispute triggered tension among worshippers and raised fears of possible violence.
Police officers attached to the Cross River State Police Command intervened after the university caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice-Chancellor attempted to take control of the service being led by the chapel’s Chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie.
The confrontation created confusion inside the chapel as rival sides sought control of the service. Police eventually ordered the worship to stop, saying the decision was necessary to prevent the dispute from escalating into a physical clash.
DCP Godwin Etim, who spoke on the incident, said he personally assessed the situation and feared that allowing the service to continue could result in bloodshed. He said he subsequently held discussions with Rev. Ushie, the interim chaplain and a member of the chapel’s Board of Trustees.
“There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church,” Etim said.
The police boss said the parties agreed to suspend the service and that representatives of the different sides had been invited to the command for a meeting on Monday. He also appealed for calm while efforts are made to resolve the dispute.
The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of an ongoing legal dispute involving the chapel’s leadership and the university management. A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order restraining the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and persons acting through him from interfering with the chapel’s premises and activities.
Rev. Ushie had taken the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Registrar Dr Chukwuka Icha and three others to court through his lawyer, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN. He asked the court to protect him from intimidation, threats or assault while exercising his right to worship at the chapel.
Justice Phoebe Ayuba subsequently granted an injunction directing the respondents and anyone acting through them not to interfere with the chapel or its activities. The court also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application, which is scheduled for August 20.
