Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean of the faculty of law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), faced remand in Kuje prison following charges of sexual harassment.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, issued the remand order on Monday.
Ndifon, prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), entered a not guilty plea to the four-count charge presented by ICPC’s counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle. The charges, filed on October 30, 2023, outlined disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct involving Ndifon.
The first count accused Ndifon of soliciting nude photographs and videos from a second-year diploma female student between June and September 2023.
The second count alleged that he corruptly requested similar content from a 400-level female student, intending to influence her project supervisor assignment.
The third count claimed Ndifon sought photographs of a 16-year-old prospective post-UTME female student to sway admission considerations.
The fourth count accused him of receiving pornographic material from a female student.
These alleged actions transpired while Ndifon held a position of public trust, responsible for certifying students’ fitness for academic and character qualifications.
Despite the serious charges, Ndifon, through his counsel Okon Efut, SAN, sought bail primarily on health grounds, citing an impending eye surgery for glaucoma scheduled for January 11, as per a medical report.
ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, opposed the bail application, alleging interference with a key witness by one of Ndifon’s counsels.
The counsel in question, Sunny Anyanwu, refuted the claims, asserting that the alleged call was unrelated to the case’s witnesses.
Justice Omotosho, concerned about the delayed surgery since the magistrate court’s bail on October 27, 2023, ordered Ndifon’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the matter until January 10, allowing time for the hearing of the bail application and for Anyanwu to submit an affidavit of facts regarding the alleged interference.