UNICAL prof Cyril Ndifon remanded in Kuje facility over sexual harassment

A Federal High Court on Monday ordered that a law professor Cyril Ndifon at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) charged with alleged sexual harassment be remanded in Kuje prison.

Ndifon was the dean of UNICAL’s law faculty before he was suspended following allegations of sexual harassment.

In count one, the defendant was alleged to have, between June and September 2023, used his office and position to gratify himself by soliciting for nude photographs and videos from a second-year diploma female student of the university through WhatsApp chats on his telephone number: 08037066222, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

In count two, he was alleged to have corruptly requested nude photographs and videos from a 400-level female student of law faculty with the plan of changing her project supervisor to himself to guarantee favourable grades for her. The alleged offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a) (il) of the agency’s Act.

Ndifon pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge following arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice James Omotosho.

He applied for bail on January 2, 2024.

But Justice Omotosho wondered why Ndifon had not gone for the surgery since October 27, 2023, when a magistrate court granted him bail.

Omotosho adjourned the matter until January 10 for hearing of the bail application.