Suspended UniCal Dean Challenges Sexual Harassment Charge, Alleges ICPC Lawyer Incompetence

Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has requested that a Federal High Court in Abuja dismiss the sexual harassment charge against him.

Ndifon’s legal team argues that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, is not qualified to practice law in Nigeria, thereby invalidating the charges.

According to Ndifon’s affidavit, Akponimisingha’s name does not appear on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, as required by the Legal Practitioners Act.

The defense claims that a search of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) database revealed that a different individual with a similar name was called to the Bar in 2012.

The ICPC lawyer, however, insists that he is qualified to practice law and has provided a copy of his NBA Practising License dated 2016.

He also argues that his academic qualifications, including the use of the title “Dr,” do not affect his legal practice.

The defense counters by stating that the issue is not about the use of the “Dr” title but rather the discrepancy in the names listed on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria.

They maintain that “Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha” and “Ekoi A. Osuobeni” are not the same person and, therefore, the ICPC lawyer is not qualified to represent the prosecution.

Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, has expressed displeasure over the direction the case has taken, stating that the focus should be on the main issue of sexual harassment and not on the academic qualifications of the legal practitioners involved.

He has directed all parties, including representatives of the Federation of International Women Lawyers and the NBA, to meet with him in chambers to discuss the matter further.

The case has been adjourned until April 19, when the court will rule on Ndifon’s motion seeking an independent forensic examiner to review the exhibits provided by the ICPC.

Ndifon was initially arraigned alongside his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu, on an amended four-count charge related to sexual harassment and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Anyanwu, one of the lawyers on the defense team, was also accused of calling a witness, identified as TKJ, to threaten her during the pendency of the case against Ndifon.

As the legal battle continues, the outcome of this case will have significant implications for both the Nigerian legal system and the broader issue of sexual harassment within educational institutions.