UNICAL Suspends Law Professor After Sexual Harassment Allegations

UNICAL Suspends Law Professor After Sexual Harassment Allegations

The University of Calabar’s administration has taken the step of suspending Prof. Cyril Ndifon, who serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Law, due to alleged violations of the institution’s established rules and policies.

The official letter notifying Prof. Ndifon of his suspension was signed by the Registrar of the university, Gabriel Egbe. The suspension was enacted from Thursday onwards.

This suspension follows protests by certain law students at the university, who raised grievances against Prof. Ndifon. They accused him of displaying “high-handedness and improper behavior toward female students.”

Read Also Adamu Stepped Down After He Realised That The Tribunal Nullified Tinubu’s Victory For Not Securing 25 Percent In FCT? – Fact Emerge

It’s worth noting that in 2016, Mr. Ndifon was previously suspended after being accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old student in the 400th level back in 2015. This prior suspension was upheld by the National Industrial Court in 2016.

The recent suspension decision was made following Mr. Ndifon’s response to an inquiry presented to him by the university administration. However, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, was reportedly dissatisfied with his explanation.

In light of this, the letter conveyed that Prof. Ndifon was suspended from his role as Dean of the Faculty of Law and that the matter would be referred to a panel established to investigate the accusations against him.

The communication stated: “Having considered your written representations, the Vice Chancellor is not satisfied with your explanations. As a result, she has directed that you be relieved of your position as Dean, Faculty of Law, and placed on suspension. The matter will be referred to a panel that will be formed to probe these allegations.”

The letter detailed that the Vice Chancellor instructed Prof. Ndifon to hand over all university-owned items in his possession, including official responsibilities, to the Sub-Dean of the faculty prior to leaving the position.

Additionally, the letter conveyed that Prof. Ndifon is expected to stay away from the university premises unless attending the panel’s inquiries regarding the accusations against him.