Justice: Nigerian court sentences UNICAL Law professor to 5-year imprisonment for sexual harassment

*Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja, sentences Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, in Cross River State, to five years in prison for sexual harassment of female students

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For sexual harassment of female students in his academic community, the Federal High Court in Abuja, FCT, has sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), in Cross River State, to five years in prison.

Delivering his judgement Monday, November 17, 2025, Justice James Omotoso found Prof. Ndifon guilty on counts one and two in the charge sheet.

It was gathered the Judge also imposed a two-year term on the first count, and a five-year term on the second, to run concurrently.

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The court, however, did not provide any option of fine, according to report.

Justice Omotoso further ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) proved the first two counts beyond reasonable doubt.

But the court acquitted Ndifon’s co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu.

Anyanwu, who had been part of Ndifon’s legal team, was discharged after the court found that the ICPC did not establish a link between him and the offences in counts three and four.

Earlier, the ICPC had charged only Ndifon with sexual harassment, but an amended charge dated January 19, 2024, added Anyanwu as a second defendant, based on allegations that he attempted to obstruct justice by contacting the key witness, identified as TKJ, during the case.

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The prosecution alleged that Anyanwu called the witness while representing Ndifon.

He allegedly urged her not to honour the ICPC’s invitation, or make a statement on the sexual harassment allegations.

Counts one and two accused Ndifon of exploiting female students.

The ICPC said that while serving as Dean in the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, the accused had pressured TKJ, a Diploma student and principal witness, to send him explicit photographs via WhatsApp.

Ndifon also asked her on several occasions to perform oral sex in exchange for help in securing an admission into the Law programme of the University.

The ICPC further alleged that Ndifon used his position to gain advantage over female students in the institution of higher learning.

Count three was directed solely at Anyanwu, while count four involved both defendants and related to an alleged attempt to influence the course of justice.

The anti-corruption Commission closed its case February 14, 2024, after its fourth witness, forensic analyst Bwaigu Fungo, concluded his testimony.

The defendants then, entered a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not proved its allegations. Justice Omotoso dismissed the submission March 6 last year.

During the defence, Ndifon testified as the first defence witness, while forensic analyst Babagana Mingali from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) testified as the second witness.

Delivering his judgment in the case, Justice Omotoso said the prosecution had established the essential elements of counts one and two.

The Judge also noted that Ndifon did not refute evidence showing that he pressured the witness in the sexual harassment allegations.

The Judge stated that Ndifon used his position as Dean of the Faculty of Law, particularly because an admission into the Diploma programme fell under his office.

Justice Omotoso also said that Ndifon’s testimony was not credible, and thereby convicted him accordingly.

Regarding Anyanwu, the Judge noted that although he contacted the witness, the call took place months before the investigation began and before charges were filed, so the court could not infer criminal intent.

Anyanwu was, therefore, acquitted of both counts.

The Judge established that Anyanwu’s contact with a potential witness was inappropriate for a legal practitioner.

Justice Omotoso as well criticised Ndifon’s conduct, noting that his actions were unacceptable for someone in his position, and warranted punishment to deter similar behaviour by public officials in the country.

As a first-time offender, Ndifon received some consideration, though the court maintained that the sentence must reflect the seriousness of the offences so committed.

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