UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR V. DR. OKON J. ESSIEN

OGUNDARE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Dr. Okon J. Essien (hereinafter is referred to as the plaintiff) was a lecturer in the Department of Economics of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Calabar Campus from October 1974. On the establishment of the University of Calabar, in 1976, he opted to transfer his services to the latter University. The transfer of service took effect on 1st July 1976. He acted for a while as head of the Department of Economics, a position he vacated on 17/8/76. Soon things fell apart. On 27/8/76 he lodged a complaint with the Public Complaints Commission, Calabar about alleged wrongdoings going on in the University. Not satisfied with the pace the Commission was handling his complaint he, on 12/12/77, issued a 6 page press release to all news media titled "Irregularities in the Administration of the University of Calabar" and the same was carried in the Nigeria Herald of January 6, 1978. In news media titled "Irregularities in the Administration o…