A financial controversy involving the non-remittance of N138 million in check-off dues has erupted within the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, leading to a suspension by the national leadership and a lawsuit filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the alleged fraud, which began in 2019 under the leadership of Dr. John Edor, former chapter executive, has caused significant unrest.
“The non-remittance of the said dues to the national secretariat of the union led to the suspension of the chapter by the national leadership of ASUU,” NAN reported.
The issue has escalated to the National Industrial Court under suit number NICN/CA/44/2025, initiated by Dr. John Inaku and nine other concerned lecturers.
The claimants have named ASUU’s national body, Dr. Edor, and one other as defendants, seeking 15 reliefs.
These include a declaration that they are not obligated to repay dues already deducted from their salaries and an order for ASUU’s national body to lift the chapter’s suspension, restoring all associated rights and privileges.
Additionally, the claimants demand that Dr. Edor provide a detailed account of all dues collected during his tenure and refund N138,782,840.97, or any amount determined by the court, to ASUU’s national body.
They also seek disciplinary action against Dr. Edor in accordance with ASUU’s constitution and the Trade Unions Act, alongside an order preventing the defendants from taking punitive actions against them.
The claimants are further requesting N150 million in general damages from ASUU’s national body and N50 million from Dr. Edor, along with 21 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until fully paid, and N5 million in special damages.
When reached for comment, Dr. Edor acknowledged the allegations, stating, “I am aware of the allegations. But there are internal mechanisms and processes of settling or addressing such issues in the union. So I advise whoever is aggrieved to follow the process,” as reported by NAN.
