UNICAL dismisses dean of law school following claims of sexual harassment

A sexual harassment claim has led to the administration of the University of Calabar suspending Prof. Cyril Ndifon, Dean of the Faculty of Law.

Following an investigation by the school’s administration into the charges of sexual harassment made against Ndifon by female faculty members on Monday, the suspension of Ndifon became effective on August 17, 2023.

A popular social media video showed faculty members storming Prof. Florence Obi’s office while holding signs that read, “Ndifon must go for our sanity,” “We are tired of buying law journals,” “We are tired of lecturers not attending classes,” and “Law girls are not your bonanza; Prof. Ndifon should stop grabbing us and others.”

The professor, however, refuted the claims in an interview with CrossRiverWatch, claiming that others on the faculty with a grudge against him organized the demonstration.

The management expressed dissatisfaction with the response to the inquiry sent to Ndifon in a letter from the school registrar, Gabriel Egbe, which was provided to The PUNCH on Thursday by the university’s spokesperson, Eyo Bassey.

Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A from August 14, 2023 on your alleged infringement of the terms of the University’s current statutes and policies, as well as your reply to that letter, dated August 16, 2023.

“After reading your written arguments, the Vice Chancellor is not pleased with your justifications.

She has therefore ordered that you be removed from your role as dean of the faculty of law and placed on administrative leave while the case is forwarded to a panel that will be formed to look into these claims.

The resignation from the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law and the suspension from official responsibilities are effective as of August 17, 2023. Before leaving your position, you must turn over to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty all University property you are in possession of, together with any current official duties you are handling.

Except when responding to a request from the panel looking into these claims, you are not to enter university property.