Cyril Ndifon, dean of the law faculty at the University of Calabar in Cross River State, has been placed on administrative leave due to claims of sexual harassment.
A lecturer named Mr. Ndifon was recently the target of a peaceful protest by female law students who claimed he had harassed them. Mr Ndifon refuted the charges. He revealed to reporters that faculty members who disapproved of his leadership style were behind the demonstration.
According to a statement from the school’s public relations office, the University of Calabar stripped Mr Ndifon of his duties as the dean of the law faculty on Thursday and suspended him from the institution via a letter from the university registrar, Gabriel Egbe. According to the statement, Florence Obi, vice chancellor of the institution, was not pleased with Mr Ndifon’s response to a question regarding the charges of sexual harassment.
“This matter has been referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate the allegations leveled against him,” the statement said. You are to hand over all University property in your possession, including all official responsibilities presently handled by you to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
”You are to stay away from the University premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations,” the registrar, Mr Egbe, told Mr Ndifon in the letter.
Few days ago, female law students carried placards and protested on campus calling for the removal of Ndifon.
Some of the placards had inscriptions such as, “We are tired of licking dicks for marks”, “Ndifon Must Go!” “We’re tired of sucking dicks for marks”, “Law Girls Are Not Bonanza”, Prof Ndifon Must Stop Grabbing our Bum Bums”, etc.
The letter said his suspension came as the Vice Chancellor was dissatisfied with his response to a query over the allegations.
Part of the letter read, “Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023, on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the University and your response to the said letter which was dated 16th August 2023.
“The Vice-Chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations.
“She has therefore directed that you should be relieved of your position as Dean, Faculty of Law and placed on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate these allegations.
“The relief of position as Dean, Faculty of Law and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023. You are to hand over all the university property in your possession including all official responsibilities presently handled by you to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
“You are to stay away from the university premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
