The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a two-year jail term sentence for Cyril Osim Ndifon, the former dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), for sexually harassing female students. The ruling, delivered on September 18, 2026, was confirmed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a press statement released on September 25, 2026.
Ndifon faced multiple cases of sexual harassment spanning over a decade during his time at the university. Forensic investigations revealed that he solicited sex and explicit content from female students. The ICPC's investigation discovered illicit videos, texts, and nude photographs of female students on Ndifon's phones, which served as crucial evidence in the case.
The former dean was accused of various counts of sexual harassment, including demanding nude pictures and videos from female students in exchange for favorable grades or admission into the Faculty of Law. In 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sentenced Ndifon to a two-year jail term on count one and five years on count two, to run concurrently, after finding the evidence against him to be beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the Court of Appeal's ruling upheld only the two-year jail term sentence, while ordering a fresh trial on the second count. The appellate court's decision was made after considering the evidence presented and the arguments made by both the prosecution and the defense.
Ndifon's history of sexual harassment allegations dates back to 2015, when he was suspended by the university following rape accusations involving a female law student. Although he was reinstated in 2022, the scandals resurfaced in 2023 when female law students staged a demonstration against him, holding placards that detailed his harassment of them.
The demonstration led to Ndifon's suspension again shortly after. The ICPC's forensic investigation, which discovered illicit content on Ndifon's phones, played a significant role in building the case against him. The commission's efforts to bring Ndifon to justice have been commended by many, who see the ruling as a victory for victims of sexual harassment.
The upholding of Ndifon's two-year jail term serves as a deterrent to those in positions of power who may think they can exploit their authority for personal gain. The case highlights the need for institutions to take seriously allegations of sexual harassment and take decisive action against perpetrators.
Key points
- The Court of Appeal upheld the two-year jail term sentence for Cyril Ndifon, former dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, for sexually harassing female students.
- Ndifon's history of sexual harassment allegations dates back to 2015, and he was previously suspended and reinstated before being sentenced to jail.
- The ICPC's forensic investigation played a crucial role in building the case against Ndifon, and the commission's efforts have been commended by many.
