The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, accused of sexual harassment.
Ndifon’s suspension was announced in a letter signed by Gabriel Egbe, the varsity’s registrar, on Thursday.
On Monday, some female students, led by Benedict Otu, the president of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), staged a protest, demanding the sack of Ndifon.
The protesting students — clad in their white shirts and black skirts — were chanting “Ndifon, go! go”!
They carried placards with disturbing inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read: “Professor Ndifon let the girls with big breasts breathe stop suffocating us”, “Enough of law school list manipulation”, and “Professor Ndifon must go for our sanity”.
On Wednesday, the authorities of the institution began a probe into the allegations against Ndifon.
Ndifon’s suspension is pending an investigation into the allegations and also effective from August 17, 2023.
“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 letter reads in part.
In the letter, the institution said Ndifon’s suspension was due to his handling of a query issued to him by the varsity’s management.
Ndifon was directed to transfer all the varsity’s property in his possession, along with his official responsibilities, before vacating his office.
The professor was also instructed to stay away from the school premises, except when responding to an invitation from the panel overseeing the investigation.