Battle of 23 years over job blamed for lecturer’s death

A lecturer who was unjustly sacked by the University of Uyo in Nigeria in 2002 and fought a legal battle for 22 years before the Court of Appeal, Calabar, Cross River State, in December 2024 found the university had to reinstate him, died on 16 April 2025.

However, the university never reinstated Dr Inih Ebong, who was also reputed as being a critic of maladministration, mismanagement and corruption at the university. The university also did not pay him the NGN10 million (about US$6,400) in damages awarded to him during his legal battle.

Said human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong: “The action of the university is unconstitutional. The … Nigerian Constitution says that the decisions of the court are binding on all authorities throughout the country, including the universities.”

The price of activism

Effiong, who met the 73-year-old former associate professor at the theatre arts department in 2020 and has continuously been in contact with him until his death, described his death as “tragic”.

“He was tormented to death. If the university had humanised him, respected his rights and the judgment of the court, he would be alive today. He was never given the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labour. He died without getting justice,” Effiong told University World News.

Jide Ojo, an education expert and commentator, said Ebong had paid the supreme price for his activism.

“This shows the level of impunity in our academic institutions for someone to have fought through the court system without getting the benefit of the judgment he fought for. Still, the family should continue to pursue justice through his lawyers, and they can also write to the university’s current vice-chancellor, senate and council to compassionately pay all his accrued salaries, gratuities and other entitlements.”

Legal battles

In August 2001, the management of the University of Uyo stopped Ebong’s salaries and, subsequently, on 28 March 2002, his appointment was terminated.

After Ebong’s appointment was terminated, he sought legal redress and won several court cases against the university, but the institution also continued to challenge the judgments until the final appeal was heard last year and found in his favour.

But the prolonged struggle took its toll on Ebong’s health. Premium Times reported how Ebong was diagnosed with cardiac failure in October 2020. His health was deteriorating before businessman and philanthropist Olufemi Peter Otedola took care of his medical treatment. Unfortunately, his health problems resurfaced in February 2025.

Effiong said that, as Ebong was out of a job for over two decades, he could hardly feed himself and his family, let alone take care of his medical treatment.

“His entitlements should be paid to his family, the university and the Nigerian government owe him an apology and there should be posthumous recognition that Dr Ebong was victimised,” Effiong said.