UNIBEN Anti-Cult Chairman Resigns, Accuses VC of Threats and Evidence Suppression After Student's Death

By Florencemary Nwabueze

The chairman of the University of Benin's anti-cultism committee, Egbenusi Osazee David, has resigned, accusing the Vice Chancellor of threatening him and attempting to suppress evidence following the fatal shooting of a part-time student on Sunday.

David, who also serves as Chaplain of All Saints' Chapel, announced his resignation in a letter dated May 10, 2026. He alleged that the university management had repeatedly ignored his security proposals, leaving the anti-cult committee ineffective.

The incident occurred around 5:00pm at the main entrance of the Ugbowo campus, where a part-time Political Science student was shot dead inside his Mercedes-Benz while leaving after his semester examination. The killing is suspected to be linked to cult activities.

According to David, he had forwarded video clips of suspected cult activity to the Vice Chancellor as a proactive warning. Shortly after, gunshots were heard near the Chapel Vicarage, followed by more videos showing a deadly cult confrontation at the school gate.

When David sent those clips to the VC, he claims the official called him "furiously" and issued a countdown ultimatum—reducing from five minutes to three, then to two—demanding that he delete the materials. The VC allegedly threatened to report him to the head of the Anglican Communion and deploy university security to remove him from the Chapel Vicarage.

"I have not deleted the said clips and shall not do so," David wrote. "A human life was lost this evening. Whatever legal, investigative, or disciplinary processes that loss may properly trigger require that evidence be preserved, not destroyed at the telephonic instruction of an administrator."

David emphasized that the chaplaincy does not serve at the administrative pleasure of the Vice Chancellor, adding, "Threats do not silence a prophetic conscience. They only clarify it."

Despite stepping down from the committee, the cleric vowed to continue speaking against cult violence and injustice, praying that the victim's family "will find comfort and justice."