Sexual Harassment Allegation: Nigerian Court Grants Suspended University Of Calabar Professor, Ndifon, N250Million Bail

The court also granted his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties respectively who must own a property in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted N250 million bail to the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon over alleged sexual molestation.

The court also granted his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties respectively who must own a property in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is prosecuting the duo for sexual harassment.

SaharaReporters had reported that the University professor of law and his lawyer were being tried on amended four counts of alleged sexual harassment and an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

In his ruling, Justice Omotoso held: “Bail is granted to the first defendants in the sum of N250 million with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150 million.

The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements. The first defendant must submit his international passport to the court.

“The second defendant is granted bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties who will submit their bank statements.

“The defendants must file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, readiness to attend trial and not to cause delay.”

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Monday for the continuation of the hearing.

SaharaReporters reported on January 8, 2023, that a Federal High Court had ordered that the suspended dean, Ndifon, who was charged with alleged sexual harassment be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Ndifon, however, pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against him.

The ICPC, though its counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, filed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/511/23 on October 30, 2023, against Ndifon.

In count one, the defendant was alleged to have, between June and September 2023, used his office and position to gratify himself by soliciting nude photographs and videos from a year 2 diploma female student of the university through WhatsApp chats on his telephone number: 08037066222, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

In count two, he was accused of corruptly requesting nude photographs and videos from a 400-level female student of the Faculty of Law with the plan of changing her project supervisor to himself to guarantee favourable grades for her and the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a) (il) of the agency’s Act.

In count three, he was alleged to have corruptly requested to see the photographs of a 16-year-old prospective post-UTME female student, as an inducement to consider her for admission into the Faculty of Law contrary to and punishable under Section 18(d) of the Act.

In count four, he was accused of causing a female student to send pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself to him through WhatsApp chats on his telephone number: 08037066222 between May and September 2023, contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention) Act, 2015.

sources: Sahara reporters