In a significant legal development, the embattled suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, Cyril Ndifon, has been granted bail amounting to N250 million by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, approved bail on self-recognisance, allowing Ndifon to be released to his counsel, Okon Efut, (SAN). The release is to facilitate the Dean’s eye surgery.
Justice Omotosho, taking into consideration the plea for bail, released Ndifon to Efut, who assured the court of his commitment to ensuring the defendant’s presence during the trial. Ndifon is facing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on four counts of sexual harassment.
The charges against Ndifon include allegations of soliciting nude photographs and videos from female students, corruptly changing a student’s project supervisor for favorable grades, and requesting pictures of a prospective student as an inducement for admission. The ICPC, represented by counsel Ebenezer Shogunle, filed the charges on October 30, 2023.
Ndifon, a public official responsible for certifying students’ fitness in learning and character, is accused of abusing his position by soliciting explicit content and manipulating academic processes for personal gain. The ICPC’s charges specify instances of misconduct between June and September 2023.
At the Wednesday hearing, Justice Omotosho granted bail to Ndifon in the sum of N250 million, with one surety required to provide evidence of means and submit their passport to the court registrar. The judge declared that the perfection of the bail would be effective from January 10 to January 25, 2024. Both Ndifon and his legal representative were directed to submit their travel documents to the court, and the ICPC was instructed to ensure the presence of its witnesses.
The trial is set to commence on January 26, marking the next phase in the legal proceedings against the suspended Dean. The charges against Ndifon, including solicitation of explicit material and manipulation of academic processes, are in violation of Sections 19, Act 2000, 8(1)(a) (il), 18(d), and 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention) Act, 2015, according to the ICPC.