In a significant development, the University of Calabar has officially released the findings of its probe panel, which investigated allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse of office against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The report, obtained by SaharaReporters, reveals disturbing revelations and recommendations that address multiple issues within the university.
The investigative panel, tasked with examining the allegations, made several distressing findings. It determined that Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon had been using his official position to intimidate and seek sexual favors from female students in the Faculty of Law.
Furthermore, the panel discovered that the suspended Dean had been involved in students’ exploitation, particularly by obstructing the timely graduation of some female students through the withholding of their results and threats that they would never graduate or go to law school.
This investigation unfolded after female students at the UNICAL Faculty of Law staged a protest in August, demanding the immediate removal of Prof. Ndifon for alleged sexual harassment. Prof. Ndifon had countered these allegations, claiming they were fabricated due to his victory in a faculty election. Subsequently, the university administration suspended him and established a panel to probe the allegations.
The panel, chaired by Prof. Dorothy Oluwagbemi-Jacob, conducted its investigation through oral and written submissions, as well as physical and virtual testimonies from victims, fellow lecturers, and students.
In addition to the findings of sexual harassment and intimidation, the panel uncovered that Prof. Ndifon had compelled law students to pay for a Faculty Journal that did not exist for three consecutive academic sessions.
The recommendations stemming from the investigation are comprehensive and include:
1. Prof. Ndifon should face the statutory Disciplinary Committee of the University of Calabar for appropriate sanctions related to acts of both Major and Gross misconduct.
2. Prof. Ndifon should refund over three million naira (N3m) realized from the payments made by law students for the Law Journal, which he neither published nor provided to the students.
3. The university should take measures to clean up the Faculty of Law, addressing the discord and unhealthy culture of borderization among staff and students. This includes reorienting younger academics to uphold the noble ideals and values of the university system.
4. The university should consider supplementary examinations or mop-up opportunities for law students who have faced difficulties due to lapses within the Faculty of Law.
5. A rule should be established to prevent lecturers from asking students to meet them at odd hours, and offices should remain open when consulting with students, consistent with global best practices.
This report sends a clear message about the seriousness with which the university addresses allegations of misconduct and harassment within its ranks. It also highlights the critical need for creating safe, respectful, and conducive learning environments that prioritize the well-being and academic growth of students.
The University of Calabar now faces the challenging task of implementing these recommendations and addressing the broader issues that have come to light through this investigation. This development serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and providing redress mechanisms for victims of misconduct in educational institutions.