By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The management of the University of Calabar, Unical, has placed in indefinite suspension the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, for allegely violating the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the institution.
The suspension order was contained in a letter signed by the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, stating that the indefinite suspension takes effect from August 17, 2023.
The suspension of the academic don is sequel to his response to a query issued to him by the university management, which the Vice Chancellor, VC, was not satisfied with explanations made by the Dean concerning issues that were raised.
Recall that Ndifon had some days ago raised an alarm that certain individuals in the Faculty of Law were seriously after him, to pull him down.
The embattled professor of law also alleged that since he won the faculty elections in a landslide victory and assumed the position of the Dean, it hasn’t been easy with him.
Recall also that some one and two hundred level students of the Faculty of Law had stormed the VIce Chancellor’s office with placards with allegations of sexual harassment against Ndifon, which the Dean alleged was sponsored by his colleagues who formed alliance with some management staff to bring him down.
Denying any wrong doings in carrying out his functions as the Dean, Unical Faculty if Law, Ndifon averred that up till this moment, no single student of the faculty had shown up to accused him of sexual harassment, alleging that the protest was sponsored by his persecutors to rubbish him.
Meanwhile, a student of the institution, Samuel – surname withheld – said that he was very sure that Prof. Ndifon had fallen out of favour with the Unical VC, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, who he said used to be a very close friend of Ndifon.
Samuel said, “All that had played out is just power play between the VC and the Dean. They both worked together for the VC’s. I think they have fallen out with each other.”
The letter stated that the VC has relieved Ndifon of his position as Dean of Law Faculty, stressing that Ndifon is henceforth under suspension pending outcome of investigation by a panel that will be set-up to find out if the allegations levelled against him were true.
The letter reads, “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 the Dean, Faculty of Law, and placed on suspension, while the matter is refered 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 invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”
