The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended the dean, faculty of law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, for alleged sexual harassment of female students.
The suspension, which took effect from August 17, 2023, was conveyed in a letter signed by the university’s registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe.
According to the letter, the suspension came on the heels of the dean’s response to a query earlier issued to him by the management of the institution.
Dissatisfied with his response, the vice chancellor, according to the letter, had relieved Ndifon of his position as dean and placed him on suspension, while the matter was referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate the allegations levelled against him.
The letter reads: “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 16th August, 2023.
“The vice chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations.
“She has, therefore, directed that you should 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.
“The relief of position as dean, faculty of law and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023.
“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 invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
Recall that students of the faculty had on Monday, August 14, stormed the office of the school’s vice-chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, wielding placards with inscriptions such as, “Ndifon must go for our sanity,” “We are tired of buying law journals,” “We are tired of lecturers not attending classes,”, “Law girls are not your bonanza; Prof. Ndifon should stop grabbing us and others,” The Faculty of Law is not a brothel,” “Prof. Ndifon, let the girls with big breasts breathe, don’t suffocate us.”
Ndifon, who is reputed as the first professor of law from Cross River, denied the allegations.
He accused his detractors of being behind his latest travail. He saying he had been through a lot since he defeated his opponents and emerged as the dean of the faculty of law.
“Since I defeated some persons in an election that was keenly contested, to emerge as Dean of the faculty, it hasn’t been easy. These allegations are baselessly masterminded by my detractor, who had vowed to ensure that my image is dragged to the mud just because I won the faculty elections twice.
“If you look at the placards, you will discover that the placards have one person’s handwriting. Again, how come the protesters know that we were holding a meeting with the Vice Chancellor if it is not the handiwork of an insider,” he told an online news medium, CrossRiverWatch.
