The University of Calabar has taken action to suspend Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, in response to allegations of sexual harassment made by students.
Earlier, students from the faculty protested at the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, demanding Ndifon’s removal and holding placards with messages 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.”
An investigation was launched by the university after Ndifon denied the accusation.
Providing an update, the school’s registrar, Gabriel Egbe, stated that the management found Ndifon’s response to the query unsatisfactory. Consequently, Ndifon has been served with a suspension notice effective from August 17, 2023.
The suspension notice outlined, “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 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 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.”