Unusual Suspension Standards Employed by UNICAL against Prof Ndifon —By Joseph Odok

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Joseph Odok|25 July 2016|8:15AM

Professor Cyril Ndifon Rape Allegations: Update of an Unusual Suspension Standards Employed by University of Calabar Against a Law Professor

More facts seems to exonerate Professor Cyril Ndifon of Faculty of Law of allegations of rape against him brought by a female law student Miss S. Nkang. It is clear that the whole matter was a conspiracy by a cabal in faculty of law who were interested in betraying their Cross River State brother to cling the deanship position. Recently a phone number +2348184844643 is causing ripples in the faculty of law. Authorities from Department of State Security (DSS) hold that the said number was registered with one Adams with an unknown face but finger printed by one Dr Eni Alobo of the faculty of law. This necessitated his grilling by the security agencies for two days according to our source.

On the day of the above alleged rape, a text message sent by the investigated number to members of University of Calabar shows a balance of probability that leaves the conclusion that the rape allegations were a calculated attempt of blackmail. These are the exact words of a text message from the said number to all members of University of Calabar Council:

Ndifon the Dean of law raped a law student yesterday evening in his office.  This poor girl is at the hospital presently. I am ashamed that lawyers and the society can keep quiet in the face of all these atrocious acts. God Almighty will judge you all. Tomorrow it may be ur daughter.

This text was the inciting machinery that made the University to immediately slam Prof. Ndifon with immediate suspension without the formation of an investigation committee nor fair hearing. The linking of the said phone number with the thump print of Dr. Alobo, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law University of Calabar by the members of SSS seems to lead to the irresistible conclusion that the rape allegations were a product of some elements of a set up and power game.

*WERE THE UNIVERSITY GOT IT WRONG

The University ought to be an example that guides the character of the society. When Prof. Ndifon was slammed with allegations of rape, the Epoke-led administration threw reason out and acted in accordance with the emotions of the moment and suspended Prof. Ndifon without setting up a panel of inquiry to avail Prof. Ndifon of fair hearing. Some people seem to suggest that that Prof. Epoke may have just played an ethnic script targeted at arm twisting the university laws to see the emergence of Dr. Alobo as acting Dean in replacement of Prof. Ndifon. This approach has been clearly rubbished by the Nigerian House of Representative in its treatment of it's members accused of rape by the United States authorities. In line with the requirement of law that an accused remains innocent until proven guilty, the Lower Chamber did not immediately slam a suspension notice on its members like the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar did. Unlike the University of Calabar, the Nigerian Senate rather constituted a panel of inquiry in a spirit of protecting its members from unjust punishment for frivolous allegations. This rational approach of the Senate is a slap on the faulty approach of an academic institution that ought to be a citadel of learning and a mirror of the society.

With the medical result, police investigation report, report and recommendations from the DPP department of the Attorney General of the Federation freeing Prof Ndifon of the said allegations; the University of Calabar seems to be changing its standard in its efforts to root the suspension of Prof. Ndifon on the fact that he breached the university rules by administering a test on Saturday, tearing a students script and administering test in his private office. Records abounds were the University has administered exams on Saturday in the various central examination timetable prepared and implemented by the University. Besides no existing law in the University has provided for an indefinite suspension as a punishment for administering test on Saturday, tearing a student's script, and giving exams in one's private office. In accordance with the requirements of law,  the punishment for any offense must be in strict compliance with the provision of law: for an accused to be punished, such a punishment must be provided for in a clearly spelt out form. Here again the University of Calabar also erred and has continued to act on the part of emotions rather than rational and legal considerations.

I enjoin well meaning Nigerians to join the #BringBackProfNdifonCampaign. Injustice done to one is injustice done to all.

Joseph Odok
Social Change Agent