UNICAL to recall students’ lists, overhaul law faculty to prevent sexual harassment
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lists of Nigerian Law School students from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) compiled in the past two years by law faculty Dean Cyril Ndifon are to be recalled for proper scrutiny over allegations he favoured female students who offered him sex in exchange.
UNICAL suspended Ndifor on August 17, two days after a panel was set up by Vice Chancellor Professor Florence Obi to investigate allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by female law students who protested with lewd and embarrassing placards at Obi’s office on August 14.
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.
Obi disclosed plans to recall the lists on Monday when she addressed the press over media reports last week of allegations Ndifon sexually harassed “law girls”, did not usually follow due process, and refused to pass qualified students except those who yielded to his randy overtures.
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Overhaul of law faculty
Obi said the faculty of law needs to be overhauled because of the overwhelming allegations against Ndifon for alleged highhandedness, incessant sexual assaults on female students, domineering attitude, and sidelining other key faculty staff, per Daily Post.
“Management resolved with the staff on the need for some basic changes to be effected in the faculty to avoid the continuous overbearing influence and power of any Dean of the faculty of waw over the students,” Obi explained.
She listed measures in the pipeline to include
- Setting up a committee to handle students’ mobilisation to Law School
- Review and possible recall of the students’ list sent to Law School
- Removal from office of two Examination Officers
- Setting up a Result Vetting Committee
- Setting up a Students’ Project Committee to assign project supervisors to undergraduates
- Setting up an Admission Committee to review Direct Entry admissions
- Setting up a committee to update Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) to handle the peculiarities of the faculty of law for UNICAL Senate approval
- Appointment of a new Sub-Dean
- Appointment of a new interim Chairman of the faculty of law post-graduate school board
- Setting up a committee to review and assign courses for semesters in compliance with Procedure on Quality Assurance
- Dean and Sub-Dean to submit all result scripts, question papers, marking guides, and examination attendance lists for the past two sessions to the Director of Quality Assurance
Obi directed a panel to investigate extortions allegedly perpetrated by Ndifon and, if found culpable, be made to refund all illegal monies collected from students under various sub-heads.