The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has taken a decisive step in the case involving the suspended University of Calabar (UNICAL) Faculty of Law Dean, Prof Cyril Ndifon, by filing charges of sexual harassment and corruption.
According to information obtained from the anti-graft commission, the charges were the result of a thorough investigation into the matter. The charge sheet, labeled FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2023, outlines a four-count charge against Prof Ndifon, which includes allegations of sexual harassment, official corruption, and abuse of office. These charges are reportedly in contravention of Sections 8, 18, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a statement issued on Monday by the ICPC’s spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, it was confirmed that the suspended Professor is set to be arraigned before the court. The date for the arraignment is yet to be disclosed.
Sexual Harassment: UNICAL Students Protests Against Dean
According to the statement, one of the counts read,
“That you, Prof Cyril Ndifon, between June and September 2023 at Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this court, and while being a public officer charged with responsibility for the certification of students as fit in learning and character as a prerequisite for the award of Bachelor’s degree in law and admission into the Nigeria Law School, used your office and position as the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar to gratify yourself by soliciting for nude photographs and videos from one Ms. ABC (not real name), a Year 2 diploma student of the University of Calabar, through WhatsApp chats on your telephone number and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
The recent turn of events follows the collaborative efforts of the ICPC and the Department of State Service (DSS) in the arrest of Prof Ndifon on October 4, in Calabar, Cross River State. This development came after the professor repeatedly disregarded multiple invitations extended to him by the investigative panel, which was convened to look into the allegations of sexual harassment brought forth by female students of the UNICAL law department.
