Jubilation amongst Students of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers State Choba, as the University of Port Harcourt Governing Council at it's 168th meeting held on Thursday, 14th of March 2019 dismissed a dreaded University Professor, Prof. Emeka Adolphus Cookey in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences. The decision was made official in the University Publication "Uniport News Vol 34, Edition 364 April 8 - April 22, 2019" It reads; "Ongoing efforts to restore discipline in the University has yielded more dividends with the summarily dismissal of Professor Adolphus Cookey of the Department of Economics in the faculty of social sciences from the services of the University. Professor Cookey was dismissed for Gross Misconduct, which included aiding examination malpractice and perpetrating unethical acts in the course: ECO 402.2 (Comparative Economics).
A letter that conveyed the council's decision dated Tuesday, March 19, 2019 and signed by the Registrar, Mrs. Dorcas Otto, stated that Professor Cookey was dismissed for acts unbecoming of a public office holder charged with such a position of trust.
The Governing Council of the University at it's 168th meeting held on Thursday, 14th March 2019 considered the 27th report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC) on the alleged case of serious misconduct involving two students; namely Mr Promise C. Unaka and Mr Anthony C. Okafor, who will appear before the students Disciplinary and Related Matters Committee (SDRMC) for investigation, the statement further disclosed.
Professor Cookey now joins the growing list of staff who had their appointment terminated or were summarily dismissed from the services of the University for Gross Misconduct.
Further investigation reveal that Students in the University Community hailed the strong will of the University Council and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndowa Lale for dismissing Prof. Cookey, though they wished the dismissal had come earlier.
A male 400 level Undergraduate Student in the department of Economics who spoke to our Correspondents but didn't want his identity disclosed said "I am happy for this decision, Professor Cookey was a Torn on Students flesh in this department, faculty and other students in other faculties that he taught. He was always compelling Students to buy his textbooks at high rates and punished those who refused to buy his textbooks, he collects N15,000.00 or more through his agents to pass undeserving students". Another Student from Marketing Department who spoke anonymously to our Correspondents said "I had a horrible experience with Prof. Cookey in ECO 201.1, he stopped our exams some minutes before the allotted time so as to ensure we don't right very well so Students will sort to pass his exams".
An alumni of the Faculty also accused Prof. Cookey of compelling them during his undergraduate days to open Account with Sterling Bank & First Bank and deposit N15,000.00 each, for students who wanted to pass his exams in which he used the money for his private business transactions from Nigeria to China because of CBN restrictions on Forex purposes.
"I thank God and the Vice Chancellor that he (Professor Cookey) has finally been dismissed, enough is enough! Let's hope others few will learns from it, he collects N15,000.00 in undergraduate, N40,000.00 in masters level and over N60,000.00 at Ph.D level. It's not business as usual anymore", said a female Post Graduate Student of Uniport.
More Revelations showed that he was suspended few months ago for similar offence by the University authority and was even impeached when he was the Head of Department by his colleagues.