The suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, has denied allegations weeks after he was accused of sexually harassing his female students.
Prof. Ndifon was accused of sexual misconduct, which led to protests organized by year one faculty of Law students.
In a statement released by Prof. Ndifon on Monday, he claimed that some of his colleagues were angry over his position and were doing everything possible to remove him.
“These are grievances by some academic staff in the Faculty of Law who are over-ambitious to become the Dean by hook or crook but unable to win any elections for that purpose, those who were asked to return the Faculty’s vehicles in their custody as well as those who complained that they were not being carried along”, part of the statement read
He argued that all the allegations against him were false and that he was blameless.
Prof. Ndifon also noted that the protests by year one female students were stage-managed and organized by the Vice Chancellor in collaboration with the LAWSAN President.
According to him in his statement, he said “This was organized or allowed by the Vice Chancellor in cahoots with her kinsman, the LAWSAN President. This made it easy for them ( the protesters) to have access to the Vice Chancellor’s block, an impossible task for any protesters in the regime of Prof. Florence Obi. Among the protesters was the Vice Chancellor’s niece, who lives in the same house with her.
“The entire episode (a 5 minutes show) was to embarrass my person and justify her subsequent actions of removing me from office and duties. It is curious that rather than the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor and some of my colleagues being surprised by the demonstration they were seen smiling and recording (videoing) the incident.
“The protesters were cajoled into the action by the LAWSAN President (who himself has admitted and apologized that the intention and purpose of the protest was not made known to the protesters)
He further stated that he was suspended immediately after replying to the authorities’ query, describing the decision as rash, hurried, and vindictive.
“I was suspended immediately the authorities received my reply. This decision was clearly rash, hurried and vindictive. The entire process leading to my suspension took only three days-from query, reply and suspension. This is a record in the University of Calabar on matters pertaining to staff discipline. What is more worrisome about the suspension order is its scope. For instance by the suspension letter I am to “stay away from the University premises, except while responding to invitation from the Panel…” This is strange, unknown and vires her powers.
