The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended Cyril Ndifon, the dean of the faculty of law, accused of sexual harassment.
Ndifon’s suspension was announced in a letter signed by Gabriel Egbe, the varsity’s registrar, on Thursday.
On Monday, some female students, led by Benedict Otu, the president of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), staged a protest, demanding the sack of Ndifon.
The protesting students — clad in their white shirts and black skirts — were chanting “Ndifon, go! go”!
They carried placards with disturbing inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read: “Professor Ndifon let the girls with big breasts breathe stop suffocating us”, “Enough of law school list manipulation”, and “Professor Ndifon must go for our sanity”.
On Wednesday, the authorities of the institution began a probe into the allegations against Ndifon.
Ndifon’s suspension is pending an investigation into the allegations and also effective from August 17, 2023.
“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 letter reads in part.
In the letter, the institution said Ndifon’s suspension was due to his handling of a query issued to him by the varsity’s management.
Ndifon was directed to transfer all the varsity’s property in his possession, along with his official responsibilities, before vacating his office.
The professor was also instructed to stay away from the school premises, except when responding to an invitation from the panel overseeing the investigation.
The letter reads:
UNICAL SUSPENDS DEAN OF LAW OVER VIOLATION OF EXTANT LAWS
The Management of the University of Calabar has suspended the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon for alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the institution.
The suspension conveyed in a letter signed by the University Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe takes effect from August 17, 2023. According to the letter, the suspension came on the heels of the Dean’s response to a query earlier
issued to him by the University Management which the Vice Chancellor was dissatisfied with.
Dissatisfied with his response, the Vice Chancellor, 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 invitation from the panel investigating these allegations”
Public Relations Unit
University of Calabar
