August 22, (THEWILL) – The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has commenced an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law of the institution.
Professor Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, made this known in her office while speaking on the recent report of sexual harassment in the institution.
Professor Obi said, “Management resolved with the staff on the need for some basic changes to be effected to avoid continuous overbearing influence and power of any Dean of Faculty of Law over the students.
“Some of the immediate actions taken were; Setting up of a Committee to take charge of students’ mobilisation to Law School.
“The Dean to refund all illegal monies extorted from the students under various sub-heads, among other decisions.
“A review and possible recall of the students’ list sent to Law School and removal from office of the two examination officers and the setting up of a Result Vetting Committee.
“Others are Setting up Students’ Project Committee to assign Project supervisors to the undergraduates
“Setting up of Admission Committee to review Direct Entry Admissions.
“Setting up of a Committee to update the existing Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) of the University to take care of the peculiarities of the Faculty of Law for Senate approval.
“Appointment of a new interim Chairman of the Faculty’s Post Graduate School Board, Setting up a committee to review and assign courses for the semester in compliance with the University procedure on Quality Assurance.
“The Dean and the Sub-Dean were directed to submit all the result scripts, question papers, marking guides and examination attendance lists for the past two sessions to the Director of Quality Assurance.” She stated.
The VC disclosed that aside from the few staff of the University that would form the panel to investigate the suspended Dean, Management has acceded to the request of UNICAL Alumni, Federation of Female Lawyers, and the Federal Public Complaints Commission to be part of the investigation.
She said the institution decided to bring those bodies to be part of the process because their involvement speaks volumes in getting to the bottom of the alleged ugly incidents.
She said the move was among some of the resolutions adopted by the management to address some of the issues raised and that various committees have been set up to look into all the allegations.
It will be recalled that on August 14, 2023, Faculty of Law students staged a protest in front of the VC’s office, accusing the former Dean of sexual harassment, extortion and high-handedness among others.
Following this, he was suspended by the institution’s management pending the outcome of the panel report.
Professor Ndifon suffered a similar fate about eight years ago when he was suspended and banned from holding any office in the institution for eight years.
He was later recalled by the University Council and later granted a waiver, which enabled him to contest for and emerge Dean of the Faculty of Law.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
