THE University of Calabar, Nigeria, has suspended its Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof.Cyril Ndifon over sexual harassment allegations.
The decision was communicated by the University management in a letter dated August 17, 2023 and signed by the Registrar, Gabriel Egbe.
The decision comes after female law students of the University protested on school grounds over sexually harassment and exploitation by the Dean.
According to the School management, Ndifon was issued a query and his response to it was not satisfactory, hence the suspension.
“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,” the letter read.
This will not be the first time Ndifon is accused of these allegations as, in 2015, he was sued for sexual harassment and suspended by the school, but, after clearing himself from the legal battle, was reinstated by the University management.
Earlier this week, on Monday, female students of the faculty of law at the University of Calabar led a protest against Ndifon, bearing cardboards and calling the Dean out for his alleged escapades with female students.
A viral video of the protest was captured on social media application, Twitter, now called ‘X.’
The protest comes after a certain Professor SinemAbasi Ekong of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, accused Ndifon of raping her 20-year-old daughter in his office.
According to Prof. Ekong, Ndifon had torn her daughter’s test scrip and used that to lure her daughter to his office where the act was said to have been carried out.
