Dean of Law in UNICAL suspended over alleged rape of student

The Dean of the Faculty of Law University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon has been suspended by the authorities of the school following an allegation that he raped a 20-year-old 400-level student(names withheld) in his office on August 29th. Vanguard reports that the mother of the victim, Mrs. Irene Akpan had petitioned the Vice Chancellor of the school, Professor Ivara Esu over the allegations. A panel was set up and after much deliberation, suspended Professor Ndifon yesterday September 10th.

Narrating her daughter’s ordeal, Mrs Akpan said Professor Ndifon had set a one-hour test for the students on August 29th, assigning two lecturers to carry out the supervision. She alleged that 20 minutes to the end of allotted time for the test, he 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.

“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.".

Mrs Akpan said five minutes after getting to his private office, Professor Ndifon locked his office door, held on to the keys and started making sexual advances at her. They struggled for a while but he overpowered her and raped her.

Her daughter informed her about the matter and they went to Airport Police Station, along IBB Way in Calabar, where she gave statement and also had medical examinations at the police clinic.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the University of Calabar, Effiong Eyo, said the school authority was investigating the matter.

“A panel has been set up to look into the matter. The authorities are looking seriously into it,” Eyo said.

The Cross Rivers state state Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, confirmed they were also investigating the matter “The case of rape or sexual assault requires discreet investigation and we have to handle it with care.”