UNICAL LECTURER BAGS 5 YEARS OVER HARRASMENT

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years’ imprisonment for sexually harassing female students. The sentence, delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Monday, followed the court’s finding that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) successfully proved counts one and two of the four-count amended charge against him.

Justice Omotosho held that the evidence presented by the ICPC demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that Ndifon exploited his office to pressure a female Diploma student, identified as TKJ, into sending him nude photographs and offering sexual favours in exchange for admission into the university’s law programme.

The court consequently sentenced Ndifon to two years’ imprisonment on count one and five years on count two. Both sentences will run concurrently.

While delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho condemned Ndifon’s conduct, describing him as a “sexual predator” and “a disgrace to the community of learned persons.” He said the evidence showed a consistent pattern of abuse of power and an attempt to take undue advantage of vulnerable students seeking academic advancement.

The judge stated:

“The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university and the 1st defendant was in an advantageous position to help her, being the Dean. The instances of undue advantage are so much. The 1st defendant abused his office.”

He further noted that Ndifon “was not a witness of truth” during his defence, emphasizing that the testimonies presented by the prosecution, including WhatsApp messages and witness accounts, remained largely unchallenged.

**2nd Defendant Acquitted**

Sunny Anyanwu, a lawyer and former member of Ndifon’s legal team who was joined later as the second defendant, was discharged and acquitted of all charges.

Although Anyanwu was accused of attempting to influence the course of justice by calling the star witness, the judge ruled that the call occurred months before the ICPC began its investigation and could not be linked conclusively to an attempt to pervert justice.

Justice Omotosho, however, condemned the lawyer’s conduct as “unprofessional,” noting that a lawyer has no business contacting a potential witness in his client’s case.

**Background of the Case**

The ICPC had filed an amended four-count charge against the defendants on January 19, 2024. Ndifon was accused of soliciting pornographic materials from TKJ and repeatedly asking her for oral sex in exchange for academic favours. He was also alleged to have harassed multiple female students during his tenure as Dean.

The commission closed its case on February 14, 2024, after presenting four witnesses, including a forensic analyst. The defendants thereafter filed a no-case submission, which the court dismissed on March 6, 2024.

In delivering its final judgment, the court emphasized the need to deter similar abuses of power within academic institutions.

Justice Omotosho concluded:

“It is with dismay I read that a Dean of Law turned himself into a sexual predator… He must be made to face the wrath of the law as a lesson to others in public office who prey on the female folk.”

Prof. Ndifon, now a convicted first-time offender, will serve a five-year term, marking a significant ruling in the ongoing battle against sexual harassment in Nigeria’s higher institutions.