A panel investigating allegations against Cyril Ndifon, a former dean of the law faculty at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has established a case of sexual assault and abuse of office against him.
Ndifon faced suspension and replacement over sexual harassment allegations brought forth by multiple students.
President of LAWSAN leads protest
Benedict Otu, president of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), led a protest on August 14, along with female students, demanding Ndifon’s removal.
Consequently, UNICAL’s management formed a panel to investigate the accusations against the embattled professor.
Among those observing the panel’s proceedings were Ann Awah of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, Philomina Modor of the Nigerian police commission’s gender unit, Sam Eboh, a UNICAL alumni lawyer, and Emmanuella Ushiekpe, the chief judge of Malabo high court.
One of Ndifon’s accusers, identified as survivor 1.1, a 200-level student, stated that she encountered the professor while attempting to transfer from the Department of Conflict Studies to the Faculty of Law.
She alleged that Ndifon asked her for sexual favors in return for helping her gain admission to the law faculty.
Survivor 1.2, a 500-level student, claimed that Ndifon tried to forcibly kiss her when she inquired about her admission status in November 2018.
