A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a landmark decision against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, after finding him guilty of sexual harassment charges brought forward by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Okay News reports that Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven counts one and two against the senior academic. According to the judgement, the evidence presented by the commission met the legal threshold of being proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently imposed a two year prison term on the professor for the first count and an additional five year term for the second count. The sentences are to run concurrently, with no option of fine. Justice Omotosho however freed co-accused Sunny Anyanwu, who was part of Ndifon’s defence team, stating that the commission failed to establish Anyanwu’s involvement in the allegations listed in counts three and four.
While reviewing the case, the judge stated that the court was convinced that Professor Ndifon exerted improper pressure on the female student identified as TKJ. The judge said, “The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university and the first defendant was in advantage to help her being the dean and the diploma course is under his supervision.”
Justice Omotosho explained that the evidence of undue advantage was overwhelming and added, “The first defendant abused his office.” He further noted that the defendant’s behaviour lacked credibility, saying the court found him to be “not a witness of truth and cannot be believed by any reasonable court.”
Although the defence pleaded for leniency as the professor was a first-time offender, the court maintained that punishment was necessary to reflect the gravity of the conduct. The judge condemned the actions of the professor, stating: “It was with dismay I read through this case that a Dean of Law can turn himself to a sexual predator.” He also described him as “a disgrace to the community of learner persons.”
In discussing the third count, which focused solely on Anyanwu, the judge explained that although the lawyer placed a call to TKJ, the call happened approximately four months before investigations commenced. Therefore, the court could not infer intent or wrongdoing. Anyanwu was cleared of the third and fourth counts but was criticised for acting unprofessionally in contacting a potential witness in his client’s matter.
Professor Ndifon was alleged to have used his position as Dean to request inappropriate photographs and sexual favours from the student in exchange for support with entrance into the institution’s law programme. The prosecution alleged that he demanded “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself,” and also requested “a blow job” on different occasions.
The commission also alleged that several other students had suffered harassment under similar circumstances. Despite filing a no-case submission earlier in the process, the court dismissed the application and ordered both defendants to enter their defence. Ndifon later testified personally, while a forensic expert from the Office of the National Security Adviser appeared as the second defence witness.
The ruling marks a significant moment in addressing misconduct within academic communities, serving as a strong warning to individuals who abuse authority for personal gain.
