Judge sentences UNICAL Professor to 5 Years’ Imprisonment

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Cyril Ndifon, to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Delivering judgment on Monday, November 17, Justice Omotosho held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) proved counts one and two beyond a reasonable doubt.

Ndifon received a two-year jail term on count one and five years on count two, to run concurrently.

9news Nigeria reports that the judge discharged and acquitted Ndifon’s co-defendant, lawyer Sunny Anyanwu, of all charges, holding that the anti-graft commission failed to link him to offences in counts three and four.

He said the call Anyanwu placed to the star witness, TKJ, occurred months before the investigation began and could not be interpreted as an attempt to pervert justice.

However, he condemned Anyanwu’s conduct, describing his decision to call a witness in his client’s case as “unprofessional.”

Justice Omotosho said the prosecution had successfully proved that Ndifon pressured the female Diploma student, TKJ, into performing immoral acts.

“The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university, and the 1st defendant was in advantage to help her being the dean,” he said.

“The instances of undue advantage are so much. The 1st defendant abused his office.”

The judge further stated that Ndifon’s testimony lacked credibility.

“The court observes the 1st defendant and see that the 1st defendant is not a witness of truth and cannot be believed by any reasonable court,” he held.

In his remarks, Justice Omotosho berated Ndifon for his conduct.

“It was with dismay I read through this case that a Dean of Law can turn himself to a sexual predator,” he said.

He described Ndifon’s behaviour as “randy” and “a disgrace to the community of learner persons,” insisting that the sentence must serve as a deterrent to other public officials who prey on female students.

According to the amended charge dated January 19, 2024, Ndifon was accused of asking TKJ to send him “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself” via WhatsApp.

He also allegedly demanded oral sex as a condition for gaining admission to study law.

9news Nigeria reports that the ICPC claimed Ndifon harassed several female students, using his position to obtain sexual favours.

Count three dealt solely with Anyanwu’s alleged attempt to dissuade TKJ from honouring the ICPC’s invitation, while count four accused both defendants of trying to influence the course of justice.

Although the defence filed a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case on February 14, the court dismissed the application on March 6, ruling that there was sufficient evidence to proceed.

Ndifon later testified in his own defence, alongside a forensic analyst from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Justice Omotosho stressed that, despite being a first-time offender, Ndifon’s abuse of authority warranted a firm penalty.

He said the conviction sends a clear warning to public officers “who have a penchant for taking undue advantage over the female folks.”

Ndifon was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.