The management of the University of Calabar has suspended the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon, over allegations of sexual harassment.
Ndifon’s suspension which took effect from Thursday followed a probe into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by some female students of the faculty on Monday.
A viral video on social media had shown the students of the faculty storming the office of the school’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, wielding placards with inscriptions such as, “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.”
However, in an interview with CrossRiverWatch, the professor denied the allegations, saying the protest was orchestrated by individuals within the faculty who held a grudge against him.
In a letter by the school’s Registrar, Gabriel Egbe, on Thursday, through the university’s spokesperson, Eyo Bassey, the management said it was unsatisfied with the response to a query served on Ndifon.
The letter partly read, “Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023, on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the university and your response to the said letter which was dated August 16, 2023.
“The vice-chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations.
“She has therefore directed that you be relieved of your position as the Dean, Faculty of Law and placed on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate these allegations.
“The relief of position as the Dean, Faculty of Law, and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023. You are to hand over all university property in your possession, including all official responsibilities presently handled by you, to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
“You are to stay away from the university premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
