UNICAL’s Suspended Law Dean, Cyril Ndifon, Sentenced To Five Years For Sexual Harassment

University of Calabar (UNICAL) has been thrust back into national focus as its suspended law faculty dean, Cyril Ndifon, received a five-year prison sentence for sexual harassment and abuse of office. The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with no option of fine.

Ndifon, removed from his position in 2023 after multiple allegations from female students, was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alongside his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu. Out of the four-count charge, counts one and two detailed how Ndifon sexually harassed female students, including a diploma student identified as TKJ. ICPC evidence showed that he demanded pornographic and obscene photographs from her and repeatedly requested sexual favours, including a “blow job,” in exchange for admission into the law programme.

Count three alleged that Anyanwu, a former member of Ndifon’s legal team, attempted to obstruct justice by threatening a prosecution witness. However, the court held that ICPC failed to link Anyanwu to the offences in counts three and four, leading to his discharge and acquittal.

Justice Omotosho ruled that ICPC proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt. Ndifon received a two-year sentence on count one and five years on count two, to run concurrently. The judge noted that although Ndifon pleaded for leniency as a first-time offender, the gravity of his misconduct demanded accountability.

In his remarks, Omotosho condemned Ndifon’s conduct, stressing that a dean of law turning himself into “a sexual predator” was both disgraceful and a serious breach of public trust. He emphasised that the verdict should serve as a deterrent to public officers who exploit their positions to prey on vulnerable individuals.

The court also criticised Anyanwu’s unprofessional conduct for contacting a potential witness, even though the act occurred months before the investigation and could not be conclusively tied to witness interference.

Omotosho concluded that Ndifon abused his office repeatedly and could not be regarded as a credible witness, noting that TKJ’s testimony was consistent and uncontested.