August 17, (THEWILL) – The Management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has suspended the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, for allegedly violating the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the institution.
Prof. Ndifon had been in the news recently when some students of his faculty carried placards and protested on campus over his alleged sexual exploitation of female students.
However, some students of the faculty denounced the protest and absolved the suspended Dean of any such action.
However, the management of the institution, on Thursday, suspended the embattled dean through a letter signed by the University Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, which takes effect from August 17, 2023.
According to the letter, the suspension came on the heels of the Dean’s response to a query earlier issued to him by the university management, which the Vice-Chancellor was dissatisfied with.
As a result of this, the Vice Chancellor relieved Prof. Ndifon of his position as Dean and placed him on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate the allegations levelled against him.
The letter reads in part: “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 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 letter read.
Professor Ndifon had, about nine years ago, been suspended by the institution on a similar case of sexual exploitation of female students but was later exculpated.
He has denied the allegations and accused his enemies in the faculty of masterminding his downfall.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
