The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, Very Nigerian reports.

Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) successfully proved counts one and two against Ndifon beyond a reasonable doubt. He was given two years for count one and five years for count two, to run concurrently.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted Ndifon’s lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, who had been joined as the second defendant in an amended four-count charge. Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to link Anyanwu to the offences outlined in counts three and four.

The amended charge, filed on January 19, 2024, accused Ndifon of sexually harassing female students, including a diploma student identified as TKJ, by requesting obscene photographs and asking her for sexual favours in exchange for admission into the law programme. The ICPC also alleged that Ndifon used his position as dean to take undue advantage of multiple female students.

Anyanwu, on the other hand, had been accused of attempting to obstruct justice by calling TKJ and urging her not to honour the ICPC’s invitation regarding the sexual harassment allegations. The court ruled that the phone call occurred months before the investigation began, making it impossible to prove intent.

Justice Omotosho said Ndifon’s behaviour was proven to be an abuse of office, noting that the professor failed to counter evidence showing he pressured the student into immoral acts. The judge described Ndifon as “not a witness of truth,” adding that he abused his position as dean to exploit vulnerable students.

“It was with dismay I read that a Dean of Law turned himself into a sexual predator,” the judge said, condemning Ndifon’s conduct as disgraceful. He added that the conviction serves as a deterrent to public officers who prey on female students.

While tempering justice with mercy as requested by the defence, Justice Omotosho maintained that Ndifon must face the consequences of his actions.