ASUU Uni Calabar Faces N138m Fraud Scandal

The University of Calabar chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has been plunged into crisis over allegations of fraud involving the non-remittance of N138 million check-off dues.

The controversy, which dates back to 2019 during the tenure of former chapter chairman Dr. John Edor, has led to the suspension of the chapter by ASUU’s national leadership.

The matter has now reached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria under suit number NICN/CA/44/2025. The case was filed by Dr. John Inaku and nine other lecturers, with ASUU national and two others listed as defendants.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that they should not be required to repay dues already deducted from their salaries. They also want the suspension of the Unical chapter lifted and full rights, benefits, and privileges as ASUU members restored.

Part of their demands include a court order directing Dr. Edor to give a full account of funds collected during his tenure and refund the unremitted N138,782,840.97, or any amount determined by the court. They are further pressing for disciplinary action against him in line with the union’s constitution and the Trade Unions Act.

The lecturers are also seeking general damages of N150 million from ASUU national and an additional N50 million from Dr. Edor, as well as N5 million in special damages. They want the court to impose 21 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until it is fully paid.

The claimants further asked the court to restrain the defendants from taking any punitive action against them over the case.

Reacting to the allegations, Dr. Edor acknowledged awareness of the matter but maintained that ASUU has internal processes for resolving disputes. He advised aggrieved members to follow the union’s laid-down mechanisms rather than resorting to litigation.