The Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reported on Monday that it had filed a criminal charge against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Cyril Ndifon.
The anti-corruption agency’s spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, stated in a release made available to Tribune Online in Abuja that the filing of the four-count charge against the embattled Ndifon followed the conclusion of the ICPC’s investigation into the professor’s alleged gross misconduct against some of his students.
The four-count charge against Ndifon, in the charge sheet number FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2023, focused on sexual harassment, official corruption, and abuse of office, contrary to Sections 8, 18, and 19 of the Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The spokesperson explained that the suspended senior lecturer was arrested by ICPC in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 4 in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, after he ignored several invitations extended to him.
According to her, “One of the counts read: That you, Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon (m) between June-September, 2023, at Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, and while being a public officer charged with responsibility for the certification of students as fit in learning and character as a prerequisite for the award of a Bachelor’s degree in Law and admission into the Nigeria Law School, used your office and position as the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar to gratify yourself by soliciting nude photographs and videos from one Ms ABC (not real name), a Year 2 Diploma student of the University of Calabar, through WhatsApp chats on your telephone number 0803***** and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under S. 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
No date has been fixed yet for the arraignment of Professor Ndifon.
THE INVESTIGATOR