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  • Limre Social Development Initiative Empowers Young Entrepreneur with Popcorn Machine

    Limre Social Development Initiative Empowers Young Entrepreneur with Popcorn Machine

    By Admin

    The Limre Social Development Initiative has supported a young entrepreneur, Mr. Anthony Abubang, with a popcorn machine and other accessories as part of its Livelihood and Economic Empowerment programme.

    Mr. Abubang had earlier reached out to the organisation seeking support to establish a small popcorn business within the school environment in Calabar following the completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

    In his appeal, he explained that starting the business required about ₦190,000 to purchase essential equipment, including a gas cylinder, showcase, plastic table, chair and popcorn machine. Through his personal savings, he had raised ₦80,000 but required additional support to acquire the remaining equipment.

    Responding to the request, the Limre Social Development Initiative provided a popcorn machine and associated accessories to enable him to commence the business and establish a sustainable source of livelihood.

    Presenting the equipment, the President and Founder of Limre Social Development Initiative, Elijah Ugani, encouraged Mr. Abubang to make good use of the machine and remain committed to the business, noting that supporting his aspiration to become self-reliant was the reason for the intervention.

    Represented by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Comr. Ogar Emmanuel, expressed delight over the initiative’s intervention and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to its motto of “Empowering People, Sustaining Communities and Transforming Lives.”

    He noted that the intervention was part of the organisation’s broader commitment to providing opportunities for deserving individuals to become economically empowered and improve their standard of living.

    Comr. Ogar further stated that Limre Social Development Initiative remains open to partnerships with organisations, philanthropists and individuals who share its vision of making a positive difference in the lives of people in need.

    The organisation urged Mr. Abubang to maximise the opportunity and use the equipment responsibly to build a viable business that can provide him with sustainable income and, in the future, create opportunities for others.

    The intervention underscores the importance of livelihood support in helping young people turn their skills, determination and business ideas into sustainable sources

  • The Continued Folly Of Cross River’s Men Of Power… BY AGBA JALINGO 

    The Continued Folly Of Cross River’s Men Of Power… BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    The stupidity about arresting people for talking is that, it is a total waste of time. But those who are intoxicated with power are so naive to realize it until power leaves them.

    First, everything under section 24 of the Cyber Crime Act, which is being used to harass people for questioning their government is bailable. Be you Governor, Senator, Minister, Security Chief, even a court judge or any other thing that you may consider powerful, no one possesses the power to lock anyone up ad infinitum.

    Every accused person must be brought before a judge where they will be granted bail. But it is so pitiable how those who hold power temporarily fail to realize this simple reality. If you sincerely think a commentator has defamed you, seek justice by going to the courts to sue. Stop using the Police to harass citizens for talking. The sickening desire to see people in handcuffs and the stinking ego arising from this primitive behavior amounts to nothing other than feeling, “I have dealt with that person.” But matter-of-factly, you haven’t dealt with anyone. You only made that person more popular and more powerful and elevated the person to a force to reckon with. I am a typical example of that.

    They came to bundle me from Lagos several times to Calabar. They bundled Ifere Paul and Joseph Odok from Abuja to Calabar. What did any of that amount to? Absolutely nothing! It was all ego trips that actually back fired and turned the people against the government.

    Why do people in government fail to learn this lesson? Do they think they will be in government forever? Where are those who wielded power from Peregrino House yesterday? Are citizens not detesting them today with passion?

    I have reached out to those who I think are responsible for the arrest of Denis Odama and I fervently hope that he will be let off the hook without delay, because that is the right thing to do. I am also in touch with Denis himself and have urged him to remain strong and not be shaken. Nothing will happen to him. I have been through that path. They have just succeeded in matriculating him into the hall of fame.

    But one more thing for the power maniacs. Stop wasting your time and resources thinking you can stop people from talking. The earlier you stop ignoring your critics and begin to address the issues they raise, the better for you. No government, no man, no authority was ever able to stop those they lead from complaining. In fact, the arrest of Odama has instigated more younger persons to talk and watch it, more will raise their voices and the second term of this administration will witness more bitterness and opprobrium from the people. Denis will be released, either by the courts or by those who arrested him and the people in power will be hated for arresting him. It is that simple!

    #ReleaseDenisOdamaNow!

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Cross River Deputy Governor Not Involved in Auto Crash, Says Press Secretary

    Cross River Deputy Governor Not Involved in Auto Crash, Says Press Secretary

     

    The Cross River State Government has dismissed reports that the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, was involved in an automobile accident.

    The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Fred Abua, Esq., who described the viral report as inaccurate and misleading.

    According to the statement, the incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, while the Deputy Governor was returning from Northern Cross River State, where he had represented Governor Bassey Otu at a stakeholder engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.

    Abua explained that while the convoy was passing through Yakurr Local Government Area, the driver of the Government House Press bus reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into barricades at an Army checkpoint.

    He stressed that the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace purchased brand new in 2024, countering claims that it was an old vehicle.

    “No other vehicle was involved in the incident, no life was lost, and only minor injuries were recorded among some of the occupants of that particular vehicle,” the statement said.

    The injured persons were immediately evacuated from the scene and taken for medical attention.

    The Press Secretary added that all the staff who were in the vehicle were in stable condition and had since resumed work.

    He further clarified that the Deputy Governor was not in the vehicle involved in the incident and was not affected by the accident.

    “The Deputy Governor himself was not involved in the incident and continued his journey safely to Calabar,” Abua said.

    The Deputy Governor’s Office urged members of the public to disregard what it described as exaggerated versions of the incident circulating online and rely on official communications from the Cross River State Government for accurate information.

    The statement also thanked concerned citizens and members of the media for their interest, assuring the public of the government’s commitment to transparency and the timely dissemination of factual information.

  • Will State Electricity Regulators Have The Courage To Hold DisCos Accountable? BY INYALI PETER

    Will State Electricity Regulators Have The Courage To Hold DisCos Accountable? BY INYALI PETER

     

    In a recent article, I attempted to clarify how subsidy works in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). However, reactions from readers across different channels opened a door I didn’t anticipate. If government is still investing heavily in subsidies and other support mechanisms, they argued, why does the quality of service from those providing electricity, especially the Distribution Companies (DisCos), still so epileptic?

    The simple truth is that Nigeria’s electricity sector has rules governing how electricity flows through our homes and businesses, performance contracts with clear penalties for failures, and a regulator in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. What has been lacking is the will to enforce these rules firmly and fairly to ensure improved power supply. This is why the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralized power and created State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, should be a genuine game-changer if allowed to function as intended.

    In our homes when we pay for electricity, we expect lights, refrigeration, our children ability to study at night. When the power fails repeatedly, our water system collapses. Small businesses lose income, hospital wouldn’t be able to save a life. These aren’t abstract frustrations but survival. And they’re happening because of failures at multiple levels. For this article, the focus is on the DisCos and how SERC can address a system where accountability has become optional.

    The sector is governed by a network of performance contracts that few Nigerians know exist. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) sets clear performance standards and fault accountability. The Grid and Supply SLA define exactly how much power each DisCo must accept and when load rejections are permitted. The Service-Based Tariffs (SBT) promise customers in different bands a minimum number of electricity supply hours daily. Band A should get twenty hours or more. Those guarantees are written. Customers pay for them because they’re binding. But they’re hardly kept by the DisCos.

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria operates under the Transmission Loss Factor guidelines which caps allowable losses at 7% with tighter regional caps at 6.5%. Miss these targets and TCN faces immediate financial penalties. But when DisCos breach their own SLAs by rejecting allocated power without proper advance constraint declarations, little or nothing happens.

    NERC 139 (2015), titled “Order on the Imbalance Application Mechanism during the Transitional Electricity Market,” imposed financial penalties on DisCos for load rejection. But when TCN complained in 2017, NERC convened a stakeholder meeting and issued threats instead of sanctions. During a 2020 tariff hearing, the then TCN’s Managing Director, Mr. Usman Mohammed challenged NERC to enforce the order. Rather than enforcement, the Commission, in 2021, six years later issued new guidelines on the matter.

    When DisCos fail to meet their ninety-five percent energy offtake targets over evaluation periods, penalties remain theoretical rather than enforced. Similarly, when they fail to deliver the minimum supply hours that customers are already paying for, they face little or no meaningful consequences. This regulatory pampering stands in contrast to the swift penalties imposed on TCN and or participants.

    The Power Evacuation Agreements between TCN and power generation companies establish accountability for both players. These and other contracts were designed by people who understood that electricity is an integrated system where unfairness at one point destroys efficiency everywhere. Accountability for DisCos is always treated as an option. They have learned they can nominate loads, receive power, then arbitrarily reject it without meaningful consequences. The records are documented. NERC reviews them. Life goes on.

    Meanwhile, in your neighborhourhood, when a transformer fails, the DisCo tells you and your neighbours to buy the replacement parts and do the repair work. When you finally scrape together money to reconnect after paying arrears, they demand you purchase new wires because the old ones belong to them. You’re essentially financing the business infrastructure these companies use to charge you for services. All these are against the rules and contracts imposed by the regulator. But DisCos ignore them and continue to behave as if they exist beyond the law they agreed to.

    The most unfortunate aspect is the complaint system itself. When you escalate some of these issues to NERC, they send you back to the very DisCo you’re complaining about and tell you to give them a chance to resolve it before escalating further. Most customers have already begged, negotiated, documented, and failed before reaching the regulator. The system doesn’t protect consumers. It protects the companies by delaying justice until exhausted citizens give up.

    Perhaps NERC is overwhelmed trying to regulate the entire sector from Abuja. Perhaps the political will to enforce rules against powerful utility companies like DisCos that basically fund them simply doesn’t exist. This is why every state must take setting up and empowering SERC to function properly very seriously. SERC brings oversight closer to reality and the people. Local regulators can domesticate and enforce contracts in the same areas as the companies they oversee and licence competing distributors that introduces the competition that drives improved service delivery

    Similarly, SERC represents both a revolutionary and exciting opportunity. It is the most consequential reform that should bring needed accountability to the sector. Nigerians need to understand the rules that govern the sector so they recognize when their rights are violated or when they are violating the sector laws that may contribute to poor power supply. With local regulators, this education can happen seamlessly.

    However, while we fault the DisCos for lack of accountability, some consumers bear equal or greater responsibility. Many Nigerians steal electricity through illegal connections. Many others disconnect themselves to avoid payment, then demand reconnection without settling bills. Poor collection rates cripple DisCos ability to invest in infrastructure and reduce technical losses. Consumer responsibility and corporate accountability cannot exist in opposition. Both must rise together. You cannot excuse poor service, but neither can you excuse theft. Both destroy the system.

    For NERC’s current leadership, I acknowledge what they’ve done recently. Forcing DisCos to issue unit token refunds to prepaid customers affected by improper billings and past Metre Asset Provider charges was enforcement with teeth. I got about 10k unit last month and will get more later. That’s what accountability looks like. It proves the regulator can act decisively when it chooses. This is the standard we need to apply consistently across all market participants.

    Clearly, the TLF mechanism and the unit refund order prove the rules work. The real question is whether SERC would have the courage to domesticate and enforce them when political actors and electricity stakeholders who have made enforcement uneven still wield influence. Ultimately, we have the performance contracts and the Electricity Act 2023 has give state permission to operate. What Nigerians may still be waiting for however, is for the will to act, decisively and fairly across the value chain.

    -Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Inyali Peter and dose not represent Theluminenews its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.

  • Developmental Projects Should Emanate from the People, Not from Those in Power — Amb. Kennedy Njar-Nsan

    Developmental Projects Should Emanate from the People, Not from Those in Power — Amb. Kennedy Njar-Nsan

     

    Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ambassador Kennedy Njar-Nsan, an academic and human rights advocate, has declared his intention to contest for the Cross River State House of Assembly seat for Ikom I State Constituency on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In this interview, he speaks on his ambition, the challenges facing Ikom, governance, youth participation in politics and his vision for the constituency.

    Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

    Amb. Kennedy Njar-Nsan: My name is Ambassador Kennedy Njar-Nsan from Akparabong in Ikom Local Government Area. I am a university lecturer and an academic with degrees in History, International Relations and Political Science. I have taught at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the University of Calabar. My passion has always been leadership, public service and developing people, and that passion has inspired my decision to seek elective office.

    Why are you contesting for the Cross River State House of Assembly?

    I want to represent the interests of the people of Ikom, not the interests of those in power. Despite being the commercial nerve centre of Cross River State, Ikom has suffered years of neglect. Our roads are bad, electricity is non-existent, public schools are underfunded and many communities lack basic infrastructure. I believe effective representation should focus on improving people’s lives through advocacy, legislation and proper oversight.

    What are the major challenges facing Ikom I Constituency?

    Poor infrastructure, unemployment, lack of electricity, poor road networks, lack of pipe-borne water and weak public education are among the biggest challenges. While many of these are executive responsibilities, a committed legislator can influence development through effective representation, oversight and engagement with the government.

    Have you held any public office before?

    I have not held an elective political office, but I have served in several leadership positions throughout my academic and professional career. Leadership has always been part of my life, and I believe those experiences have prepared me for public service.

    How do you assess the current representation of your constituency?

    The people will judge that. However, when you look at the level of development in Ikom today, it is obvious that much more could have been achieved. Our constituency deserves stronger representation and more effective engagement with the government.

    What would you do differently if elected?

    I will put the people first. I intend to hold regular town hall meetings so that development priorities come directly from the people. The government should respond to the needs of communities, not impose projects that do not address their challenges. Representation should be driven by the voices of the people.

    Do you think your party will be a limitation?

    Not at all. The NDC stands for policies that address poverty through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and support for small businesses. We believe governance should focus on solving collective goods problems rather than distributing temporary handouts during elections.

    As a young politician, what challenges have you faced?

    Funding remains the biggest challenge because politics is expensive. Another challenge is changing the culture of vote-buying, where some voters expect money or gifts before offering support. Politics should be about development, not transactions.

    How do you assess the representation of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency?

    That decision belongs to the people of Ikom and Boki. They should evaluate whether their representative has delivered meaningful development and use their votes accordingly.

    How would you rate Governor Bassey Otu’s administration?

    The people of Cross River State will ultimately decide. I acknowledge that the administration has made progress in security, but there are other areas where citizens expect more. Democracy gives the people the opportunity to evaluate every government based on performance.

    What message do you have for young Nigerians?

    Politics affects every aspect of our lives, from education and healthcare to roads and employment. Young people must participate actively in politics and reject vote-selling. We must elect leaders based on competence, integrity and performance.

    What are your chances in the 2027 election?

    I am optimistic because I believe the people are looking for credible alternatives. If elected, I will remain accountable to the people of Ikom. I will not become a puppet or defend the government at the expense of my constituents. My commitment is to serve the people with integrity and courage.

    Finally, what is your message to the people of Ikom I ahead of 2027?

    I urge our people to vote for competence, character and vision. Hold leaders accountable and never reward poor performance. If entrusted with your mandate, I will work tirelessly to justify your confidence and ensure that the interests of Ikom I State Constituency remain my highest priority.

  • Nigeria Is Not a Poor Country. We Must Change Our Mindset BY MIKE UDAM 

    Nigeria Is Not a Poor Country. We Must Change Our Mindset BY MIKE UDAM 

     

    Nigeria is a blessed nation. God is not owing Nigeria anything. He has already blessed this country beyond measure.

    Few nations in the world possess the combination of natural and human resources that Nigeria has. We are richly endowed with crude oil, natural gas, gold, lithium, uranium, tin, columbite, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, and vast deposits of clay suitable for ceramics and manufacturing.

    Our agricultural potential is equally remarkable. We have millions of hectares of fertile land capable of producing enough maize to feed much of Africa. We have extensive rice-growing areas, abundant cassava, yam, cocoa, palm produce, and one of the largest sugarcane plantations on the African continent. The land is not our problem.

    Neither are our people.

    In virtually every profession, Nigerians continue to distinguish themselves. Our accountants, doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, academics, and technology experts compete with the very best in the world. Nigerians occupy important positions in leading universities, multinational companies, research institutions, and hospitals across the globe. Wherever excellence is demanded, Nigerians are often found delivering it.

    Nigeria is not a poor country.

    Our greatest challenge is not a lack of resources or talent. Our challenge is leadership and the systems that have allowed a small group of people to concentrate enormous wealth and influence in their hands. They continue to succeed because many of us have failed to understand the game being played.

    Every election season, familiar strategies are employed. Ethnicity is brought to the forefront. Religion is weaponized. Historical grievances are revived. Suspicion is stirred among ordinary citizens. While we argue among ourselves, those who benefit from our division quietly consolidate their power.

    The real tragedy is that those who suffer the most are often divided against one another. Instead of speaking with one voice for justice, accountability, and good governance, we allow ourselves to be separated by tribe, religion, and political sentiment.

    The late Chinua Achebe wisely observed that when two brothers fight over a piece of land, a stranger harvests the crop. That lesson remains painfully relevant today. While Nigerians quarrel among themselves, others continue to enjoy the benefits of our disunity.

    Let me say this clearly, and let it be on record:

    The day those beneath the table decide to stand up, those feasting at the table will realize that their comfort depended on the people underneath.

    Those who manipulate the system understand exactly how to divide us. The question is whether we will continue to allow ourselves to be divided.

    Permit me to end with a simple illustration.

    Imagine you are travelling through a lonely forest, and your car suddenly breaks down. You desperately need a mechanic. At that moment, you do not ask the mechanic which tribe he belongs to. You do not ask his religion. You ask one question:

    Can this person fix my car?

    What matters is competence. What matters is integrity. What matters is the ability to solve the problem before you.

    Nigeria is that broken car.

    At this critical moment in our history, our primary concern should not be where the person comes from. Our concern should be whether that person has the character, competence, vision, and courage to repair this nation.

    If we continue to choose leaders merely because they come from our village, our ethnic group, or our religious background, we may remain stranded on the same road for many more years.

    Nigeria has everything it needs to become one of the greatest nations on earth.

    The question is no longer whether God has blessed Nigeria.

    The question is whether Nigerians are prepared to rise above division, choose competence over sentiment, and build the nation we all deserve.

    Dr. Michael Udam serves the church of Christ meeting at Ukpagada Ogoja Nigeria.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Mike Udam and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.

  • One Killed in Alleged Attack on Cocoa Farm in Cross River

    One Killed in Alleged Attack on Cocoa Farm in Cross River

     

    A man has been killed following an alleged armed attack on a cocoa farm in Isibendeghe Community, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The incident, which reportedly occurred at about 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, was reported to the Boki Police Division by the owner of the farm, Madam Etta Maria Ado of Onisha Farm, Isibendeghe Community.

    According to the police report, the complainant alleged that three men, identified as Patrick Otu Debang, James Osa G., and another individual popularly known as “Pepsi,” all said to be from Boje Community in Boki LGA, stormed her cocoa farm while three workers were on duty.

    She alleged that the suspects opened fire on the workers, fatally shooting one of them, identified as Joseph Francis Friday. The complainant further claimed that the suspects had repeatedly harassed and threatened her over activities at the farm before the incident.

    Two other workers, Clinton Abang and Amobi Igwe, reportedly escaped the attack and later returned to inform the farm owner of what had happened.

    Police detectives from the Boki Division visited the scene following the report. The body of the deceased was recovered with multiple pellet wounds to the chest and abdomen, injuries said to be consistent with those inflicted by a locally made firearm.

    The remains have been deposited at a mortuary for an autopsy, while police say investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
    Authorities said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

  • Woman Arrested Over Alleged Murder of Boyfriend in Akwa Ibom

    Woman Arrested Over Alleged Murder of Boyfriend in Akwa Ibom

    By Leo Umana

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a woman, identified as Lorretta Anoh, in connection with the alleged murder of her 36-year-old boyfriend, Chikoka Emeka Henry, at his residence in Osongama Estate, Uyo.

    According to the police, Anoh was reportedly the last person seen entering the deceased’s apartment on Tuesday before his lifeless body was discovered.

    During the investigation, detectives traced the suspect and recovered a total of N2,943,250 in cash, which police said she allegedly stole from the deceased. Authorities stated that Anoh confessed to taking the money.

    Police also revealed that before her arrest, the suspect had allegedly begun making arrangements to transfer ownership of the deceased’s black Mercedes-Benz 4Matic, bearing registration number EKY 694 GP, to herself. The vehicle was reportedly removed from the victim’s residence before it was recovered by investigators.

    A preliminary police report indicated that the deceased sustained a deep cut to the head, suggesting he may have been attacked before his death.

    The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Amengheme Andrew, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ikot Akpan Abia, for a comprehensive investigation.

    The police commissioner also urged members of the public to exercise caution in their personal relationships and remain vigilant about the company they keep.

    Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing, and the suspect remains in police custody.

  • Police, C’River Government Appeal for Calm as Obutong Landslide Worsens

    Police, C’River Government Appeal for Calm as Obutong Landslide Worsens

    Thelumine Admin 

    The Cross River State Police Command and officials of the state government have appealed to residents of Obutong Community in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area to remain calm following the worsening landslide at Anansa Junction.

    The affected section, located between WAPI Junction and the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, has raised serious concerns among residents after the erosion, first noticed on Monday, Aug. 3, deteriorated on Tuesday, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

    Addressing members of the affected community, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, DCP Godwin Etim Effiong, appealed to residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with authorities as efforts to address the situation continue.

    The police chief visited the community alongside the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Pius Arikpo Edet; the Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Mensah Bassey Offiong; the Special Assistant on General Duties; and the Special Assistant on Security Surveillance.

    The delegation assured residents that the Cross River State Government is taking the necessary steps to address the landslide and prevent further damage.
    Residents were also advised to avoid the affected area for their safety while intervention measures are being put in place.

    The Cross River State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and working with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to safeguard lives and property throughout the intervention process.

    The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday.

  • UNICAL Orders Students Admitted Irregularly into Law to Return to Original Departments

    UNICAL Orders Students Admitted Irregularly into Law to Return to Original Departments

     

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has begun implementing measures to correct admission irregularities in its Faculty of Law, directing affected students to return to the academic programmes through which they were originally admitted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, made the appeal during a meeting with affected Law students from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions. He was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Anthony Afam Okiwelu.

    According to the Vice-Chancellor, the exercise is part of the university’s efforts to sanitise its admission process, restore public confidence, and ensure compliance with the regulations of JAMB and the Council of Legal Education.

    Prof. Offiong said the institution had recently faced public scrutiny over admission irregularities and that the current administration was committed to addressing the anomalies to prevent future sanctions.

    He explained that students who were not originally offered admission into the Faculty of Law through JAMB could not be allowed to remain in the programme, warning that such a situation could invalidate their Law degrees and make them ineligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School if discovered by the Council of Legal Education.

    “We advise every student who transferred from the programme to which JAMB originally admitted them into Law to return to their original departments in line with the admission records,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor added that failure to correct the irregularities could also lead to sanctions against the university, including the suspension of admissions into the Faculty of Law, thereby affecting future applicants and damaging the institution’s reputation.

    Providing details of the situation, Prof. Offiong disclosed that of the 435 students currently in the second year of the Faculty of Law, only 221 were originally admitted into the programme through JAMB, a development he described as a clear violation of existing admission regulations.

    To ease the impact of the decision, the university has approved the transfer of school fees already paid for the 2025/2026 academic session to the 2026/2027 academic session for students returning to their original departments.

    He also stated that students who choose to discontinue their studies at the university would be eligible for refunds of their school fees upon submitting the required applications, assuring them that due process would be followed in handling all refund requests.

    Prof. Offiong urged the affected students to cooperate with the university, stressing that the corrective measures are intended to protect their academic future while preserving the integrity and accreditation of the Faculty of Law.

    He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to statutory admission guidelines as part of ongoing efforts to restore the credibility and reputation of the University of Calabar.