A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced suspended UNICAL law dean Cyril Ndifon.
The judge found him guilty of s3xually harassing a student and imposed a five year term.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof Cyril Ndifon, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of s3xual harassment. The judgement was delivered on Monday, November 17, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho.
The court held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission proved counts one and two against Ndifon beyond reasonable doubt. He was sentenced to two years on the first count and five years on the second. The sentences will run at the same time, meaning he will serve a total of five years. The judge noted that he considered Ndifon’s status as a first time offender while delivering the sentence.
Justice Omotosho also discharged and acquitted Ndifon’s former lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, of all allegations against him. He ruled that the prosecution failed to show that Anyanwu’s phone call to the star witness had any direct link to the investigation at the time it took place.
Ndifon and Anyanwu had faced a four count charge filed by the ICPC. The first two counts accused Ndifon of using his office to s3xually harass female students, especially a diploma student identified as TKJ. Ndifon was said to have asked her for indecent photographs and pressured her to perform s3xual acts as a condition for admission.
The ICPC also accused Anyanwu of trying to influence the witness by urging her not to honor the commission’s invitations, but the court ruled that the timing of the phone call made it impossible to prove intent. Both men were initially charged jointly on a separate count relating to attempts to obstruct justice.
During the judgement, the judge said the evidence clearly showed that Ndifon abused his position and took advantage of a student who hoped to gain admission. He described the former dean as someone who failed to uphold the ethical standards expected of a senior academic.
Justice Omotosho stated that it was troubling that someone in such a respected position acted in a predatory manner. He added that the sentence should serve as a warning to other public officials who exploit their positions for immoral purposes.
