UNICAL suspends law faculty Dean over alleged sexual harassment
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Cyril Ndifon, a Professor and law faculty Dean, has been suspended by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) over allegations of sexual harassment made by female law students who marched on the office of Vice Chancellor Professor Florence Obi on Monday with embarrassing placards painting Ndifon’s alleged philandering in graphic language.
His suspension from August 17 came after a panel to investigate the allegations was set up by Obi on Tuesday to calm down the vociferous and adamant protesters who called themselves “law girls”.
Ndifon has denied the allegations. He previously told CrossRiverWatch, an online publication, the protest was orchestrated by fellow faculty members who have a grouse against him.
Regardless, Ndifon’s suspension letter, dated August 17, written by UNICAL Registrar Gabriel Egbe, insisted the management was not satisfied with his response to the query issued to him.
“Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023 on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the University and your response to the said letter, which was dated August 16, 2023,” the letter said.
“The Vice Chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations.
“She has therefore directed that you be relieved of your position as Dean, Faculty of Law and placed on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate these allegations.”
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Banished from campus
“The relief of position as Dean, Faculty of Law, and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023,” the letter added, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“You are to hand over all University property in your possession, including all official responsibilities presently handled by you, to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
“You are to stay away from the university premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
Nairametrics reports Ndifon had first been suspended in 2016 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 20-year-old 400 level female student in 2015.
This suspension was upheld by the National Industrial Court in 2016.