Unical

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended and detained Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, over alleged sexual harassment of female law students.

This development comes after a series of protests erupted within the institution, leading to the suspension of Ndifon by the university management pending investigations into the allegations. 

Prof. Ndifon vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that the protests orchestrated against him were the result of a conspiracy by certain individuals within the faculty who aimed to destroy his reputation.

He labelled the claims against him as baseless lies aimed at tarnishing his image. Confirming the arrest, DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya revealed that Ndifon was taken into custody in Abuja after he repeatedly refused to comply with several invitations extended to him for questioning.

Afunanya clarified that the DSS’s intervention was initiated following a request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

This joint effort between the agencies was conducted within the framework of inter-agency collaboration and was executed in accordance with a court order granting permission for Ndifon’s arrest. 

Despite efforts to obtain comments from the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, she could not be reached for a statement as calls to her phone remained unanswered at the time of filing this report.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Ohiama Ugbe has been named the acting dean of the faculty of law with the approval of the University of Calabar’s vice chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi. 

According to a press release from the university’s registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, the appointment will be in effect starting on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, and it will last until a faculty member is elected to serve as the faculty’s substantive dean. 

It’s understood that Dr. Rose Ugbe will assume the tasks and duties of the office of acting dean in addition to overseeing the faculty’s academic programmes, fostering a strong connection between staff and students, and creating an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. 

Supporting faculty members in their research endeavours and working with university management to ensure full execution and actualization of the university’s ideals are among the other duties outlined in the announcement. 

This comes a few days after the suspension of Prof. Cyril Ndifon for allegedly indulging in sexual harassment against female students in the faculty.