Varsity suspends Prof. Ndifon over allegations of sexual molestation
Emmanuel Alfred
The Management of the University of Calabar( UNICAL), on Thursday, August 17, 2023 suspended the Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon for alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the institution.
This is the second second time the scholar is being suspended by the institution over alleged sexual assult on students after the first suspension in 2016.
In a release signed by and conveyed to the public by the University Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe, the suspension takes effect from August 17, 2023.
According to the letter, the suspension was necessitated following the Dean’s response to a query earlier issued to him by the University Management which was unsatisfactory.
Dissatisfied with his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, according to the letter, has relieved Prof. Ndifon of his position as Dean and placed him on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate the allegations levelled against him.
The letter reads this; “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 an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
Recall that on Monday August 14, 2023, the university students under the umbrella of the Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) staged a protest against Prof. Ndifon, calling for his sack.
The students accused Ndifon of sexual molestation, grabbing, manipulation of Law School list, among others.
Prof. Ndifon, however, while responding denied the allegations made by the students, saying These allegations are baseless masterminded by my detractors who had vowed to ensure that my image is dragged into the mud just because I won the faculty elections twice.”
