The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cyril Ndifon, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of sexually harassing a female student and abusing his office.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) successfully proved counts one and two of the amended charge, which centred on allegations that Ndifon exploited female students, including the principal witness identified as TKJ. According to the prosecution, Ndifon pressured her to send explicit photographs via WhatsApp and repeatedly demanded oral sex in exchange for securing admission into the law programme.

The judge noted that Ndifon did not challenge evidence that he used his position as Dean—especially since admission into the diploma programme fell under his office—to pressure the witness. Justice Omotosho described the defendant’s testimony as unreliable and criticised his conduct, stressing that such behaviour was unacceptable for a public official and warranted punishment that would serve as a deterrent.

For count one, Ndifon received a two-year prison term, while count two attracted five years. Both sentences are to run concurrently, and no option of fine was granted. The court, however, gave him minimal consideration as a first-time offender.

Ndifon’s co-defendant, lawyer Sunny Anyanwu, was discharged and acquitted of counts three and four, which alleged that he attempted to obstruct justice by contacting the key witness. The judge held that although Anyanwu did call the witness, the call occurred months before the ICPC investigation and charges were instituted, making it impossible for the court to infer criminal intent. Justice Omotosho nonetheless described his action as inappropriate for a legal practitioner.

The ICPC had initially charged only Ndifon but included Anyanwu in an amended charge dated January 19, 2024, claiming he persuaded the witness not to honour the commission’s invitation or make a statement. Both defendants had entered a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case, but the court dismissed it on March 6, 2024.

The judgment brings a significant close to a case that drew national attention to allegations of sexual misconduct and the abuse of authority within higher institutions.