The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission witness, referred to as TKJ for anonymity, made startling revelations during her testimony on Tuesday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
TKJ accused Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, of pressuring her to exchange her virginity for admission into the institution.
In her testimony as the second prosecution witness (PW2), TKJ recounted her encounter with Ndifon, alleging, “He asked me to give him ‘a blow job.’ I told him I can’t. He said I shouldn’t embarrass him.”
She further detailed disturbing incidents, stating, “When I was about leaving, I begged him that I was sorry. That day, I was not on my period; I just had to wear the pad because of the advances he had been making at me.”
TKJ’s narrative shed light on the alleged persistence of Ndifon’s advances, even amidst campus protests against sexual harassment.
She lamented, “Despite the sexual harassment protests on campus, the suspended dean requested more nude photographs from me.”
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, TKJ disclosed a distressing encounter outside her hostel, revealing, “Ndifon tried to put his hand inside my trousers. After stopping him from doing that, he forcefully put it in my mouth.”
She further revealed Ndifon’s attempt to compensate her for alleged medical expenses, stating, “Ndifon later transferred N3000 into my account to treat myself after requesting for the account details.”
Following TKJ’s testimony, the prosecution counsel sought to present the N3000 bank receipt as evidence, which was eventually admitted by the court after Ndifon’s lawyer, Joe Agi, SAN, withdrew his objection.
The trial, which saw Ndifon and Sunny Anyanwu re-arraigned on amended charges, has attracted significant attention due to its broader implications for addressing sexual harassment and ensuring justice within academic institutions.
The case was adjourned until February 7th for further proceedings, as Justice Omotosho seeks to navigate through the complex legal intricacies surrounding the allegations against Ndifon and Anyanwu.
Recall that following a protest staged by a female student from the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, accusing Professor Cyril Ndifon of sexual harassment among other allegations, the professor, serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law, faced suspension for purportedly violating the institution’s existing laws and policies.
The suspension, effective from August 17, 2023, was communicated through a letter signed by the University’s Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe.
