The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) hailed the conviction of Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, as a major victory in Nigeria’s fight against sexual offences, abuse of office and impunity. ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey called the Federal High Court’s judgment a watershed moment for holding powerful individuals accountable.
On 18 November, the court sentenced Ndifon to five years’ imprisonment for sexual harassment after finding him guilty of violating both the Cybercrime Act and the ICPC Act. The court determined that Ndifon had used his position to solicit nude images from a student, identified only as Miss TKJ, in exchange for a false promise of university admission. The victim recounted how the professor initially groomed her by posing as a father figure, then escalated the abuse and ultimately sexually assaulted her.
The ICPC’s investigation began after student protests against the professor went viral, prompting a formal petition on 15 September 2023. Critical evidence was obtained through digital forensics, including WhatsApp chats that corroborated the victim’s testimony. Ndifon was arrested with the assistance of the Department of State Services after he failed to honour the commission’s invitation.
The court’s decision has been praised for its significance in establishing a new era of accountability. The ICPC spokesperson noted that the judgment sends a hopeful message to victims of sexual harassment and abuse of power, reinforcing that solid evidence is essential to prove complex offences beyond reasonable doubt. The commission pledged to carry the momentum of this conviction into universities and workplaces nationwide, warning that anyone who abuses authority will not escape the law.
The conviction was also commended by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, the Nigerian Bar Association and partner NGOs, which supported the commission throughout the investigation and prosecution. The ICPC expressed appreciation for the victim’s courage, describing her as a “shining example” for others experiencing harassment. The commission’s efforts to protect her identity and ensure a fair trial were recognized, with the court ordering that her identity remain protected in perpetuity under the pseudonym “TKJ.”
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