CALABAR—The Dean, Faculty of Law, University of
Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, accused of sexually assaulting
a 20-year-old 400-level student in his office was yesterday
suspended by the panel instituted by the school’s Vice
Chancellor, Professor Ivara Esu.
Professor Ndifon, who is the first professor of Law from
Cross River State, was briefly arrested and detained by the
police and later released on Wednesday before he was
suspended yesterday evening by the panel set up to
investigate him.
The professor was accused by mother of the victim, Mrs.
Irene Akpan, in a letter sent to the university, alleging that
the incident happened between 3 and 5pm on August 29 at the
dean’s private office on the top floor of the faculty building.
According to the lady, Professor Ndifon forcibly had sex
with her daughter after a fierce struggle.
The school
authorities confirmed receipt of complaints from the victim,
while the police also affirmed it but was quick to add that
the matter was undergoing thorough investigation.
Narrating her daughter’s ordeal, Mrs Akpan explained that
the dean had set a one-hour test for the students on that
Saturday, assigning two lecturers to carry out the
supervision.
She alleged that 20 minutes to the end of allotted time,
Ndifon entered the hall and ordered the students to stop
writing.
She said while the students were preparing to submit their
answer sheets, Ndifon approached her daughter, tore her
answer sheet and left the shreds on the seat.
Mrs. Akpan said: “He walked straight to my daughter’s
desk, collected the script and tore it. He left the torn script
on her seat, so the girl collected the pieces and put them in
her bag. According to her, you will still have to pass
through the faculty before leaving the building.
“She said as they were leaving, the dean accosted her again
and asked if she still had the shredded script, she said yes.
He instructed her to follow him to the general dean’s office
to recopy the answers on another plain sheet, which she did.”
“The unsuspecting girl followed him to the general office
where two people were, including the dean’s secretary. The
office of the dean is on the first floor of the building,
according to my daughter.
“She said while writing in that office, the dean who had
earlier gone out, came in again and instructed her to follow
him to his private office on the second floor so that she could
comfortably use the table.”
The victim’s mother said five minutes after getting to his
private office, the dean locked the door, concealed the key
and started making advances, adding that they struggled but
Ndifon subdued her and had sex with the girl.
She said her daughter was later taken to Airport Police
Station, along IBB Way in Calabar, where she gave
statement and also had medical examinations at the police
clinic.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr.
Effiong Eyo, said the institution was seriously looking into
the matter.
“A panel has been set up to look into the matter. The
authorities are looking seriously into it,” Eyo said.
Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan
Bassey, said the command was investigating the case.
He said: “The case of rape or sexual assault requires
discreet investigation and we have to handle it with care.”
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