The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to investigate the allegations of sexual assault against the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.
A statement by National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Mr. Akorede Habeeb Lawal on Saturday said, the decision was reached by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA at her recent monthly meeting presided over by the NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), with all the National Officers of the association in attendance.
Lawal said in the statement that, the NBA NEC has empanelled an ad-hoc committee comprising the 1st Vice President of the NBA, Mrs Linda Rose Bala, the Assistant General Secretary of the NBA, Mr Daniel Kip, Chairperson of NBA Women’s Forum and the Chairman of the NBA Calabar Branch, to investigate the allegations against the University Don.
Recall that the management of the university had suspended the varsity don for allegedly violating the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the institution.
The suspension came days after some law students of the institution protested alleged sexual harassment against the Dean.
The suspension, which takes effect from August 17, 2023, was conveyed in a letter signed by the University Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe.
Ndifon, Society Mirror learnt was suspended in 2015 for the same issue but was said to have cleared himself after a legal tussle.
According to the letter, the suspension came on the heels of the Dean’s response to a query by the University Management which the Vice Chancellor was dissatisfied with.
The letter reads this; ”Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023, on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the University and your response to the said letter which was dated 16th August, 2023.
“The Vice-Chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations. She has therefore directed that you should be relieved of your position as Dean, Faculty of Law and placed on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set up to investigate these allegations.
”The relief of position as Dean, Faculty of Law and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023. You are to hand over all University property in your possession including all official responsibilities presently handled by you to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
”You are to stay away from the University premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations”.
