An associate professor of Theatre Arts at University of Uyo (UniUyo), Akwa Ibom State, Dr Inih Ebong who died six months ago was buried on Friday without him obtaining justice.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Friday, hit back the University of Uyo (UniUyo) authorities at the funeral service of Inih Ebong, a lecturer who was victimised for over two decades by UniUyo.
Family members and friends, including some academics and old classmates, attended the funeral conducted by the Rosicrucian Order at the Aton Lodge, Uyo.
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Dr. Ebong, 73, died on April 16, 2025 at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital after a protracted battle for justice and survival, and against ill-health.
His teaching appointment was unlawfully terminated on March 27, 2002 during the administration of then Vice-Chancellor, Akpan Ekpo because of his constant criticism of the authorities for alleged corruption and maladministration.
As a retaliatory move, Mr Ekpo’s administration accused him of sexually harassing a student allegedly in a bid to silence and discredit him.
To date, UniUyo has yet to establish any wrongdoing against the deceased lecturer and has refused to obey a court judgement ordering it to reinstate him and pay his accumulated salary and entitlements.
The university did not send condolences to the bereaved family nor a representative to the funeral service.
Lawyer hits Uniuyo
Speaking in a live Facebook broadcast at Mr Ebong’s home, Effiong said “History will not be kind to me if I don’t make this statement. I haven’t seen the vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo here. I am not sure if their representatives are here,” said Mr Effiong, who flew in from Lagos to pay his last respects to Mr Ebong.
“Injustice to one is injustice to all. It will be unfair if we just come here and talk and don’t acknowledge the crime that the University of Uyo committed against Dr Inih Ebong. And they must pay for that crime, whether in this life or the afterlife.”
Mr Effiong, a UniUyo alumnus, described Mr Ebong as a principled man who suffered persecution because of his convictions.
“We have very few Dr Inih Ebong in Akwa Ibom; people willing to speak truth to power. It behoves on us to honour his legacy, to honour his name.
“And I want to tell the family that I am sure Dr Inih Ebong is very proud of you, and you are also very proud of him. Please continue to stand on the principles that he stood for.”
“It would be a shame, the blood of Dr Inih Ebong will be on the management, will be on the Senate and the Governing Council of the University of Uyo if Dr Inih Ebong dies, without getting justice,” said the lawyer during the visit.
Similarly, John Obot, on his Facebook page, wrote ‘‘Yesterday, I attended the funeral rites of the late Prof. Inih Akpan Ebong at the Aton Lodge of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, Uyo. Prof. Ebong was more than a scholar—he was a friend, mentor, and brother, known for his integrity, discipline, and devotion to learning.
‘‘But beyond the glowing tributes lies a bitter truth. The University of Uyo, where he faithfully served in the Department of Theatre Arts, unjustly terminated his appointment and withheld his entitlements. Though the courts—including the Appeal Court—declared the action illegal and ordered his reinstatement and payment, the university defied every judgment.’’
The Guinness World Record (GWR) attempted man in Long Reading stated ‘‘Even in sickness, Prof. Ebong was denied justice. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong fought fiercely for him, but justice came too late.
”At the funeral, Barr. Effiong’s words struck deep: The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo is not here, and I doubt if there’s any representative to witness the funeral of a man they punished to death. The University of Uyo management will never go scot-free for what they did to this man—either now or in the future.
‘‘Prof. Inih Akpan Ebong is gone, but the injustice remains an open wound.
”May his noble soul continue to progress in peace profound. So mote it be,’’ Obot concluded.
