UNICAL Law lecturer gets five-year jail term for sexual harassment case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Prof Cyril Ndifon, former Dean of Law at the University of Calabar, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of sexually harassing a female diploma student seeking admission.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on Monday, calling Ndifon’s conduct “immoral” and a grave abuse of academic power.

A Pattern Long Denied

Ndifon was suspended by the institution in 2023 following a series of accusations from female students who said he used his office to intimidate, harass, and coerce them.
The ICPC, Nigeria's anti-graft agency for civil servants, charged him with sexual harassment, abuse of office, and exploiting his position for personal gain.

Investigators said he demanded obscene photographs from a student identified as TKJ and repeatedly pressured her for sexual acts in exchange for admission into the faculty.

Court Rejects His Defence

Ndifon attempted to have the charges dismissed in March 2024, arguing that the case lacked merit. The judge disagreed.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution presented credible, consistent evidence on two counts, describing the details as both disturbing and damaging to public trust in academia.

The court imposed a two-year sentence on the first count and a five-year sentence on the second. Both will run concurrently, meaning he will serve five years.

Co-Accused Walks Free

His associate, lawyer Sunny Anyanwu, faced accusations of attempting to intimidate a witness.
Although the judge criticised him for making an “unprofessional” call to the victim months earlier, the court held that the evidence did not conclusively tie him to the offences, leading to his discharge.

Judge: “Power Is Not A Licence To Prey”

In a strongly worded remark, Omotosho said Ndifon “took undue advantage” of a young woman trying to secure a university place and added that no public official, “let alone a dean of law,” should wield power in that manner.

He said the ruling should serve as a warning to those who believe academic authority grants immunity from accountability.
Though he described Ndifon as “not a witness of truth,” he noted that this was his first conviction, a factor considered in sentencing.

A Wider Problem On Campuses

The case revived concerns about sexual exploitation in Nigerian universities, where students often face unreported pressure from those meant to teach and protect them.
Advocates hope the judgment sends a message that institutions and courts are now more willing to confront abuse hidden behind academic titles.

Justice is slow, but it caught up. Nigeria’s campuses must be safe spaces, not hunting grounds for those who misuse power.