CALABAR, Nigeria — The University of Calabar, UNICAL, has moved decisively in response to allegations against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, Dean of the Faculty of Law, suspending him over an alleged violation of the institution’s regulations and policies.
The suspension, announced in a letter dated August 17, 2023, and signed by University Registrar Mr. Gabriel Egbe, comes after Prof. Ndifon’s reply to an initial query from the University Management did not satisfy the Vice Chancellor.
In the letter, the university detailed its dissatisfaction with Prof. Ndifon’s response: “The Vice Chancellor has reviewed your written representations and found them lacking.
As a result, she has decreed your removal from the Dean’s position and placed you on suspension.”
Subsequently, a panel will be formed to delve into the accusations further. The University stressed the immediacy of the suspension, stating it is “effective from August 17, 2023,” and mandating the Dean to hand over all university property and responsibilities to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty.
Furthermore, the letter emphasized: “You are to refrain from entering the University premises, barring any summons from the panel probing the allegations.”
The suspension comes in the wake of protests led by the university’s law students earlier this week, claiming that Prof. Ndifon had acted inappropriately with them.
Since these allegations surfaced, Over 15 individuals have stepped forward, expressing their willingness to provide testimony against the now-suspended Dean in a court of law.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Prof. Ndifon has faced such punitive action from the University of Calabar.
A similar suspension was handed down in 2015, from which he was reinstated following a police investigation that cleared him of any wrongdoing.
