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Tag: Prof. Cyril Ndifon

  • Federal High Court Calabar Adjourns sexual harassment case against Prof Ndifon, three others

    Federal High Court Calabar Adjourns sexual harassment case against Prof Ndifon, three others

    By Kelvin Obambon

    The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Thursday adjourned a sexual harassment case brought against former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon and three others.

    The case with file no: FHC/CA/FHR/10/2024 was instituted by Gender and Development Action (GADA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Joined in the suit as defendants were the University of Calabar, National Universities Commission, UNICAL Vice Chancellor and Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

    Recall that the former UNICAL dean is currently standing trial before a Federal High Court, Abuja on four amended counts of alleged sexual harassment and gratification preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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    When the case was brought up for hearing for the first time before Justice Ijeoma Ojokwu, the presiding judge at the Federal High Court Calabar, some of the respondents were absent in court, hence the judge adjourned the case to 8 May, 2024 while ordering service on all the respondents.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the adjournment, prosecuting Counsel Doris Nduanusi, said that UNICAL and NUC were joined as defendants because the institutions ought to be accountable as supervisory bodies to prevent such abuses from repeatedly happening. According to her, “this is not a criminal case; it is civil case that will make the universities to be more proactive to create policies to protect the students.”

    The case of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) involving Prof. Ndifon has sparked widespread concern and criticism. The allegations of coercion, sexual exploitation, and threats against students have brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse.

    Co-founder of GADA, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo said “Our organization, GADA, in collaboration with FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers), has advocated for justice and accountability in this matter. This is sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and supported by ActionAid Nigeria.

    “The outcry was deafening as the public demanded answers, and the University of Calabar could no longer turn a blind eye. With our collective pressure, the university finally stepped in, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and vowing to take decisive action. He was suspended and at a later date, arrested. However, as the courts began their pursuit of justice, we pondered: Is this the end of exploitation on Nigerian campuses?

    “As injustice resounds throughout the nation, we stand united in our resolve to fight for a future free from exploitation and Gender-Based Violence. We refuse to be silenced. It is time to rewrite the narrative, reclaim the sanctity of our educational institutions, and ensure that no student suffers at the hands of those entrusted with their care.

    “Together, let us demand accountability, let us demand justice, and let us pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, where every student can pursue their dreams without fear or intimidation. Join us in our quest for justice. Together, we can make a difference.

    “The court hearing represents a crucial milestone in the pursuit of justice for survivors of GBV and the broader fight against impunity and abuse of power. Through collaborative efforts with FIDA and other stakeholders, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”

  • DSS whisks away suspended UNICAL dean to Abuja for interrogation

    DSS whisks away suspended UNICAL dean to Abuja for interrogation

    Security agents suspected to be men from the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested and whisked away to Abuja the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Cyril Ndifon said to be involved in a sex scandal.

    Professor Ndifon and his wife were sighted at about 4.20 pm at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar on an onward journey to Abuja for further interrogation.

    Ndifon was picked up at about midnight on Wednesday by heavily armed men suspected to be from the DSS as he was taken straight to the DSS headquarters at Atimbo in Calabar.

    An eyewitness said the team arrived at about midnight, scaled the fence of the house in Akpabuyo, started shooting sporadically and broke the door open and whisked him away.

    The wife who was confused and worried followed the men until they drove inside the DSS premises but she was not allowed in that night.

    Later this morning, she went back there with her lawyer and were allowed in and after series of interrogation, Ndifon was flown to Abuja from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar for further interrogation.

    When our reporter visited the state command office of the DSS in Calabar at about 10.32 am on Thursday, the operatives manning the entrance gate denied him entry into the office to confirm the arrest of Prof. Ndifon.

    However, one of the operatives who pleaded not to be named, said he was not aware of the arrest, saying “if we have him here be rest assured that his relatives will be contacted. And you can also confirm from his family which of the security agency arrested him.”

    However, a press release dated October 5 at 3.52 pm from the DSS official Twitter handle by the Director, Public Relations & Strategic Communications Department of State Services National Headquarters Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya captioned, “ICPC Seeks DSS Collaboration On The UNICAL Sex Scandal Matter,” confirmed his arrest.

    The release reads, “The ICPC has sought the collaboration of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Sex Scandal matter involving Professor Cyril NDIFON, the erstwhile Dean of Faculty of Law of the Institution. The Commission had disclosed the refusal of NDIFON to honour its several invitations, thus his eventual arrest in Calabar, Cross River State, by its operatives on 4th October, 2023, based on a Court Order.

    “However, following the Commission’s request and in the spirit of interagency cooperation, the Service supported it for a successful operation.

    “This is to guide public understanding of the latest developments on the matter.”

    Recall that Prof. Ndifon had last week raised alarm over threat to his life, accusing the management of the University of Calabar of sending some men who disguised as security officials to kidnap him during church service in Calabar.

    About two months ago, students of the Faculty of Law from the institution had staged a peaceful protest accusing Prof. Ndifon of sexual harassment and high-handedness.