Just In : Court Orders Detention Of University Professor in Kuje Prison over Sexual Harassment
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has instructed the remand of Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), at the Kuje Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service until the determination of his bail application. This directive was communicated through a statement by the spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mrs. Azuka Ogugu
The ICPC had brought forth four charges against Ndifon on Monday, accusing him of alleged sexual misconduct involving some of his students. Despite the charges, the professor of law pleaded not guilty during the court proceedings.
In response to the charges, Okon Efut, the counsel representing the defendant, sought bail, noting that the application had already been filed on behalf of Ndifon on January 2, 2024. However, the ICPC’s counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, opposed the bail request, citing an alleged threat made by one of the defendant’s lawyers, Barrister Sunny Anyanwu, against a key witness enlisted by the ICPC for the trial.
Anyanwu, defending himself, argued that the witness’s name was not listed in the charges and claimed that it was the ‘witness’ who contacted him. In response, Justice Omotosho instructed Barrister Anyanwu to submit an affidavit of fact within 48 hours concerning the alleged threat made by an ICPC witness against him.
Furthermore, Justice Omotosho ruled that Professor Cyril Ndifon should remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre until Wednesday, January 10, 2024, when the court would conclude the hearing on his bail application.
