A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), on two counts of sexual harassment and sentenced him to five years in prison. Justice James Omotosho handed down the ruling after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) presented evidence of Ndifon’s misconduct.
The court found Ndifon guilty on two out of the four counts brought against him by the ICPC. He was sentenced to two years on one count and five years on the second count, with both sentences to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of five years.
During the trial, the ICPC had accused Ndifon of soliciting explicit images from female students. One key allegation involved a diploma student, identified only by the pseudonym “TJK,” whom the professor reportedly asked to send pornographic photographs via WhatsApp.
In explaining its verdict, the court stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite Ndifon’s own testimony denying the allegations, forensic and testimonial evidence weighed heavily.
Meanwhile, Ndifon’s co-defendant, his lawyer Mr. Sunny Anyanwu, was acquitted. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that Anyanwu attempted to pervert the course of justice.
This ruling follows earlier legal developments in the case. In January 2024, Justice Omotosho had remanded Ndifon at Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment by the ICPC on four counts related to harassment, cybercrime, and abuse of office.
He was later granted bail in February 2024, with strict conditions including a N250 million bond and two sureties.
The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld the ICPC’s authority to investigate Ndifon, rejecting his argument that the commission lacked power to probe allegations of “demand for sexual gratification” under its mandate.
