The University of Calabar (UNICAL) sexual harassment scandal takes a new turn, as the central figure, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, voices concerns about threats to his life.
He alleged that he was in the church at about 8:18 a.m., performing his role as a warden when some men, who claimed to be security officers, came to arrest him.
He claimed they vanished without a trace, evading any inquiry from the Reverend Father and several churchgoers.
He said: “I went to church, where I serve as a churchwarden, and while in church much later towards the end, we got information that some individuals had come into the church and went to see the catechist and inform him that they came to arrest somebody, and the catechist from what we understood asked for identification, they didn’t have any. He asked for a search warrant, but they didn’t have any then the catechist asked them to wait for him to go inform the Reverend Father, but on getting there, they disappeared into thin air.
“I think this needs a security concern and I thought it was time to shout and talk about the threat to my life because that is what it looks like. If they are investigating, it should be done without threatening me. I haven’t threatened anybody and I don’t think threats should be issued to me.”
“On why he has refused to attend the panel’s summon, Ndifon said: “That panel is unknown to my status as a lecturer in the University of Calabar. I am a professor of law and I think the right thing should be done. I’m not scared of appearing in any panel. I have gone to court and given my reasons for shunning it”. I have challenged the status of the panel. So, why should I appear before the panel? It is a bit laughable.”
“They have already joined issues with me in court. So, let’s go to court and address it, but they haven’t invited me, that is what I can say for sure.”
“Ndifon, however, implored both state and federal government agencies, as well as concerned Nigerians, to intervene in this matter, emphasizing that it involves a threat to his life.
A witness, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted, “We saw strange people come into the church armed, pretending to be security operatives, but we suspected them to be kidnappers. They said they were there to arrest Prof. Ndifon, but they had no identity on them and no warrant of arrest. Before we knew it, they disappeared into thin air.
“One person who accosted them at the gate rightly informed us that they said they were sent from the University of Calabar and one would begin to wonder why they are coming for a personality like Prof. Ndifon. Why can’t the so-called security officials invite him officially? Why come to church on a Sunday?”