By Tension has erupted within the University of Benin following the resignation of the Chairman of the institution’s Cult Renunciation, Reconciliation, Reformation, Rehabilitation and Interfaith Committee, CR4IC, The Venerable Egbenusi Osazee David, who accused the university management of failing to take decisive action against cult related activities on campus.
In a resignation letter dated May 10, 2026 and addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the university, the chaplain announced his immediate withdrawal from the committee, citing what he described as institutional neglect, intimidation, and threats allegedly directed at him after he forwarded videos relating to suspected cult violence around the campus.
The resignation letter, which has since circulated widely online, painted a troubling picture of worsening insecurity within the university environment. According to the cleric, several recommendations and proposals he submitted since assuming office as chairman of the anti cultism committee were ignored by the institution despite the growing threat posed by cult related violence.
The chaplain stated that the committee gradually became ineffective because its recommendations allegedly received no practical implementation from the university authorities. He warned that any committee created to tackle cultism without institutional support risked becoming merely symbolic while students and members of the university community remained vulnerable to violence.
Speaking on the immediate trigger for his resignation, Egbenusi disclosed that he received video clips earlier on Sunday relating to suspected cult activities within the university environment. He explained that he forwarded the materials to the Vice Chancellor in what he described as a sincere effort to support security intervention and decision making.
According to him, the security situation later escalated after sporadic gunshots were reportedly heard around the Chapel Vicarage area within the campus. He added that he subsequently received more videos allegedly showing a violent confrontation involving suspected cult groups in front of the university gate along the express road, where a person was reportedly killed.
The cleric said he immediately sent the additional clips to the Vice Chancellor because of the seriousness of the incident and the potential threat to lives and property within the institution.
However, the chaplain alleged that the response he received from the Vice Chancellor was hostile and alarming. He claimed that shortly after forwarding the videos, he received an angry phone call demanding that the clips be deleted immediately.
According to the resignation letter, the Vice Chancellor allegedly issued a countdown ultimatum beginning with five minutes and later reducing it to three minutes and then two minutes within which the materials were expected to be deleted.
”You issued a countdown ultimatum, beginning at five minutes, which you then reduced to three minutes, and then to two, within which you required me to delete the materials”. The letter claimed.
Egbenusi further alleged that threats were made against him during the conversation. He claimed he was threatened with disciplinary reporting to Anglican authorities and possible removal from the Chapel Vicarage through university security personnel if he refused to comply with the directive.
”You threatened to deploy university security personnel to remove me from the Chapel Vicarage. You invited me to “dare” you as the Vice Chancellor”. The letter read.
The chaplain condemned the alleged actions, describing them as inconsistent with the dignity expected from public offices within an academic institution. He maintained that the threats amounted to intimidation against the office of the university chaplain and an attempt to suppress evidence connected to a violent incident in which a life was reportedly lost.
He insisted that he had not deleted the videos and had no intention of doing so because they could become relevant in any legal, investigative, or disciplinary proceedings connected to the incident.
“Whatever legal, investigative, or disciplinary processes that loss may properly trigger require that evidence be preserved, not destroyed.” He said.
The chaplain also used the letter to defend the independence of the university chaplaincy from administrative interference. He stressed that the Chaplaincy of All Saints’ Chapel does not operate as a department under the office of the Vice Chancellor in matters relating to conscience, pastoral duty, and ecclesiastical authority.
”A university chaplain does not serve at the administrative pleasure of a Vice Chancellor in matters of conscience, pastoral duty, or prophetic witness”. He warned.
He further disclosed that the Anglican Bishop supervising his ministry had already been informed about the events surrounding the incident and the circumstances that led to his resignation.
Despite stepping down as chairman of the anti cultism committee, Egbenusi maintained that the chapel and its leadership would continue to speak against cultism and advocate for justice within the university community.
He said his resignation should not be interpreted as an act of fear or surrender but as a moral stand with his faith and the dignity of what his office represents.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the University of Benin had not released an official statement responding to the allegations contained in the resignation letter.
