The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a landmark judgement that is already shaking the academic world. On Monday, the court found Prof. Cyril Ndifon — the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) — guilty of sexually harassing his female students, handing him a five-year jail term.
The judgement, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, concluded a long-awaited case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Out of the four charges brought against Ndifon, the court upheld two, ruling that the evidence presented by the prosecution was strong enough to secure a conviction.
A Case That Exposed Abuse of Power
According to the ICPC, Ndifon abused his position as Dean by pressuring female students for explicit photographs. One of the victims — identified in court documents as “TJK” for privacy — testified that he asked her to send pornographic and indecent images through WhatsApp.
She was among four key witnesses who appeared before the court, laying bare the pattern of sexual misconduct that had long been whispered about within the law faculty.
Sentencing Breakdown
Justice Omotosho imposed two separate prison terms on Ndifon:
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2 years for one count
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5 years for another
However, both sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a maximum of five years.
Despite the gravity of the case, the court discharged and acquitted his co-accused, lawyer Sunny Anyanwu, ruling that the prosecution failed to link him to any wrongdoing or attempted obstruction of justice.
Attempts to Fight the Case
During the trial, Ndifon maintained his innocence. He argued that the prosecution presented no credible evidence capable of sustaining a conviction. He testified in his own defence, backed by a forensic analyst from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Still, the judge dismissed his arguments, emphasizing that the testimonies, digital evidence, and witness accounts were strong enough to establish guilt.
Earlier, in February 2024, Ndifon had filed a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its evidence. The court rejected it in March 2024, ruling that he must enter his defence.
A Verdict With Heavy Implications
The conviction marks one of Nigeria’s most decisive legal actions against sexual harassment within the university system. For many observers, the ruling sends a strong message: academic authority is not a shield for misconduct, and students deserve protection from exploitation.