Dr. Inih Ebong’s case is a tragic yet infuriating example of how those in power manipulate institutions to destroy those who refuse to bow to corruption. His 22-year battle was not just against the University of Uyo, but against a network of crooks in academic robes, men who saw their positions as shields for lawlessness and who abused power without fear of consequences.
These people did not just fire Dr. Ebong—they declared war on his life. They wanted to reduce him to nothing, to make him a warning to others: Challenge us, and we will ruin you. Speak against our corruption, and we will bury you.
And so, for 22 years, they fought to ensure that his career, health, and dignity were erased. They defied multiple court orders, treated the Nigerian judiciary as if it was beneath them, and laughed at the idea of consequences. They did not care that an innocent man was suffering in poverty, in sickness, abandoned by the very system meant to protect him.
But they must not escape justice—not in life, and not in death.
The University of Uyo: A Dishonorable Institution That Became a Weapon Against Justice
What happens when a university turns against its own people? When it ceases to be a place of knowledge and becomes a stronghold of oppression? That is what the University of Uyobecame—a sanctuary for corruption, where truth was punished, and lawlessness was normalized.
They could have fixed this at any time. Any of the vice-chancellors in the last two decades could have restored Dr. Ebong’s position, complied with the court rulings, and done the right thing. But they refused. Why?
Because they were cowards. Because they believed in their own invincibility. Because they thought justice could never touch them.
And now, justice must be delivered—without mercy, without hesitation, and without amnesty.
The Lawbreakers Behind This Injustice: No Escape in Life or in Death
It is not just the living officials of the University of Uyo who must be punished—those who have died must also be held accountable. Their legacies must be destroyed, their names erased, and their roles in this crime made public.
Those Who Are Still Alive
For every former vice-chancellor, registrar, or administrator still breathing who played a role in this crime, the following must happen:
Immediate arrest and prosecution for contempt of court and abuse of office.
Full confiscation of pensions and benefits—no one who defied the law should receive a single naira of state funds.
Lifetime ban from holding any position of leadership—academic, political, or otherwise.
They must not be allowed to retire comfortably while the man they destroyed fought for his survival for 22 years.
Those Who Are Dead: No Rest, No Redemption
And for those who have already died, their graves must carry their shame. Their names must be removed from all university records. Their awards, if any, must be revoked. Their families must be made aware that their fathers, uncles, or grandfathers were not honorable men, but lawbreakers who tried to bury an innocent man.
Posthumous punishment must include:
Public disclosure of their crimes—official reports detailing how they contributed to this injustice must be released.
Removal of their names from university buildings, lecture halls, and plaques—they must not be honored by the institution they turned into a weapon.
Stripping of posthumous national awards—if any of them were recognized as “distinguished scholars” or “great administrators,” these recognitions must be reversed.
The dead do not get to escape the stain of their actions. Just as history remembers dictators and war criminals for their atrocities, these men must be remembered for their betrayal of justice.
The Judiciary’s Shame: A Justice System That Took 22 Years to Work Is a Justice System That Doesn’t Work
Yes, the courts ruled in Dr. Ebong’s favor. But what is the value of a ruling that takes 22 years to be enforced?
The courts are meant to be the last line of defense for citizens against oppression. But in this case, the judiciary stood by and watched as the University of Uyo ignored ruling after ruling, while Dr. Ebong suffered.
A functional justice system would have:
Sent armed enforcement officers to the University of Uyo years ago to force compliance.
Issued arrest warrants for officials who ignored the rulings.
Imposed severe financial penalties on the university for every month they refused to obey the court.
But none of this happened. And so, a man who had already won in court multiple times was left to suffer like a defeated man.
This cannot be allowed to happen again. Labor disputes must have a fixed timeline—they must never be allowed to drag on for decades. There must be automatic penalties for institutions that refuse to comply with judgments.
And most importantly, judges must have the power to immediately jail those who defy their rulings.
Femi Otedola: A Billionaire Steps in Where the Government Failed
While the offenders at the University of Uyo refused to compensate Dr. Ebong, and the courts refused to enforce their rulings, and the Nigerian government refused to intervene, it was a private businessman—Femi Otedola—who finally stepped in.
Otedola, seeing the shameful abandonment of Dr. Ebong, used his own money to cover the lecturer’s medical bills.
Let’s be clear: This should never have been necessary.
Dr. Ebong should not have needed charity. He was not a beggar. He was a wronged man owed justice. The University of Uyoshould have been forced to pay him every kobo immediately.
That it took a billionaire’s kindness to save a man who had already won multiple court cases is the most damning proof of Nigeria’s failed institutions.
We can praise Otedola for his generosity. But we must condemn the system that made it necessary for him to step in.
The Final Reckoning: No More Delays, No More Excuses
The University of Uyo must comply with every court order immediately.
Full compensation must be paid, including unpaid salaries, pensions, and damages.
A formal, public apology must be issued and published in national newspapers.
Every official who ignored court orders must be prosecuted.
The judiciary must introduce new laws to prevent universities from delaying justice.
Every Nigerian must remember this case as proof that the system is broken and must be reformed.
And most importantly:
Every corrupt official, living or dead, must be held accountable.
Let their names be recorded in disgrace. Let the history books document their betrayal of justice.
And let them serve as a warning to every other corrupt leader who believes they can defy the law and get away with it.
Justice has taken too long. But now, it must be swift, merciless, and absolute.
This writer, a psychologist with no personal connection to Dr. Inih Ebong, the University of Uyo, or any individual involved in this case, is simply advocating from a democratic standpoint—standing for justice, accountability, and the rule of law, as any responsible citizen should.
