UNICAL Professor sentenced to five years for sexual harassment
By Obasola Olatunde
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years’ imprisonment for sexually harassing female students, highlighting the grave breach of professional ethics in academia.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ndifon abused his position to exploit students, particularly a Diploma student identified as TKJ. The Dean was found guilty of requesting indecent images and sexual favors in exchange for academic advantage.
The court sentenced Ndifon to a two year term on count one and a five year term on count two, to run concurrently. Justice Omotosho noted that, while Ndifon was a first-time offender, his actions constituted a serious breach of trust, describing him as a “disgrace to the academic community” whose conduct must serve as a deterrent to others in public office.
Ndifon’s former lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, was discharged and acquitted of all charges, although the judge condemned Anyanwu’s unprofessional act of contacting the student outside official proceedings.
The ICPC had, in an amended charge dated January 19, 2024, preferred four counts against Ndifon and Anyanwu, including sexual harassment and attempts to pervert the course of justice. While the professor was initially the sole defendant, Anyanwu was later added in relation to the alleged interference with the star witness.
During proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence of Ndifon repeatedly pressuring the student, leveraging his authority as Dean to gain sexual favors, including requests via WhatsApp. The defense argued a no case submission, which the court dismissed in March 2024.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that academic leadership comes with a duty to protect students and uphold ethical standards, warning that abuse of office for personal gratification undermines both the integrity of the institution and the wider education sector.
“The instances of undue advantage are so many. The first defendant abused his office and the trust of his students,” the judge said. “This is a clear message to all academics that such predatory behavior will be met with the full weight of the law.”
The ruling has been welcomed by education stakeholders as a landmark decision reinforcing accountability in Nigerian universities, particularly in protecting female students and safeguarding the sanctity of higher education.