The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years imprisonment for sexual harassment, with no option of a fine. The ruling was delivered on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Justice James Omotosho found that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had proven two of the charges against Ndifon beyond reasonable doubt. Ndifon received two years for the first count and five years for the second, to run concurrently.
Sunny Anyanwu, Ndifon’s former lawyer and co-defendant, was discharged and acquitted of all charges. The court ruled that the ICPC failed to prove his involvement in counts three and four, which alleged attempts to influence the course of justice.
The charges stemmed from allegations that Ndifon, while serving as Dean, sexually harassed female students. Prosecutors stated that he requested indecent photographs and sexual favors from TKJ, a female Diploma student and key witness, in exchange for admission into the Law program. The ICPC argued that Ndifon abused his position to exert undue influence over multiple students.
The amended four-count charge, filed in January 2024, initially named Ndifon as the sole defendant. Anyanwu was later added for allegedly attempting to intimidate the key witness. The ICPC closed its case in February 2024, and the defendants’ no-case submission was dismissed in March 2024.
During the trial, Ndifon testified as a defense witness, while forensic analyst CSP Babagana Mingali corroborated aspects of the investigation. Justice Omotosho highlighted that Ndifon exploited his position of authority and described him as untruthful.
While Anyanwu had contacted the witness prior to the investigation, the court could not establish malicious intent, resulting in his acquittal. However, the judge condemned his professional misconduct and strongly criticized Ndifon’s actions, calling him “a disgrace to the academic community.”
Justice Omotosho emphasized that the verdict should serve as a warning to public officials who exploit their positions to prey on women.