UNICAL suspends 19 students over exam malpractice

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

No fewer than 19 students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been suspended over alleged examination malpractice, following recommendations by the institution’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

The suspension was contained in a letter signed by the Director of Administration, Dr Citizen Ekpo, on behalf of the Registrar, Dr Chukwuka Icha, and made available Vanguard yesterday in Calabar.

Speaking on the development, Head of the university’s Public Relations Unit, Mr Effiong Eyo, said the suspension followed approval by the university’s Senate of the disciplinary committee’s recommendations.

According to him, the affected students were suspended for one academic session, covering 2025/2026, and would resume their studies in the 2026/2027 academic session.

“The university has said the students would resume their studies in the 2026/2027 academic session,” he said.

Eyo disclosed that the affected students cut across various faculties, including Administration, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Arts, Education, Allied Medical Sciences, Pharmacy and Environmental Sciences.

Others, he said, were drawn from the Departments of Nursing Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, Science Laboratory Technology, Estate Management, Marketing, and other related departments.

The spokesperson added that the university had directed all deans, heads of departments and relevant units to enforce the suspension and ensure full compliance with the directive.