Notwithstanding that Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), insists that his travails were set up by his enemies and that the world will soon hear about his innocence, a star witness of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), TKJ (not real name), on Tuesday, told the Federal High Court Abuja that the Law Professor pressured her into trading her virginity for an admission into the institution.

TKJ (not real name), a student allegedly sexually harassed by the suspended Dean also revealed how she was forced to do a ‘blow job’ on the law teacher and send him her nude videos.

TKJ told the presiding Justice James Omotosho while being led in evidence by the commission’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, that she came in contact with Ndifon during her Diploma 1 Programme through some senior students who were posting condolence messages to the lecturer over the death of his mother.

She said: “So, being a student of the Faculty of Law, I decided to send my condolence messages to him.

“After that, he thanked me and asked what level I was and I told him I was in Diploma 1.

“After some days, I made a post on my WhatsApp status and he asked, ‘Is this you?’ and I replied yes sir.

“He asked where I was and I told him I wasn’t in Calabar. He told me that whenever I returned, I should try and see him and I said ok,” she said.

The PW2 said on returning to school, Ndifon called her to inquire if she was back and she answered in affirmative.

“…He said I should not be scared and that I should see him as a father.

He requested for the hug again. I gave him a side hug.

“He asked me if this was how I hug my boyfriend, I told him I don’t have a boyfriend. He asked if It was a man friend I have, and I told him I had none.

“He held my waist and told me I don’t have to bother about admission and that he brought Diploma of Law into the faculty.

“He said he made about 50 students transited to the LLB programme,” she said.

The witness told the court that the embattled professor again held her waist and she tried to free herself from him.

“He told me to stop doing that and asked why was I doing like a baby.

“He asked if I was a virgin, and I said yes. He said am I sure? He said that it was very good.

“He asked, ‘Can you give it (my virginity) to me? I shouted Jesus! He said I should give it to him and he told me he would give me admission.

“I told him I would think about it,” she said.

According to the witness, he (Ndifon) touched my chest which is my breast area.

“He said he never knew I was this big.

“While all these were going on, people would come and knock and go.

“I asked him why he does not want to open the door, he asked me to forget it.

“When I asked him why he was the one that gave up to 50 persons admission, he told me he was the owner of the diploma course that I should not bother myself that I will get the admission,” she added.

TKJ, who told the court that the don also asked her to visit him on a public holiday, begged her to give him “a blow job” after confirming he was on her menstrual cycle.

She said: “On a public holiday, he asked me to come to his office,

“He pulled his trousers. I told him to stop and that I was on my period (menstruation). He asked won’t I give him my virginity again?

“I said I was on my period. He put his hand inside my pad. He asked when my period would finish and asked me to sit down.

“He brought out his manhood and asked that I give him a blow job. I told him I can’t. He said I shouldn’t embarrass him.

“He put his manhood back inside his trousers and told me to leave his office.

“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.

“I went back to WhatsApp to apologise and told him I was sorry. He was my only hope for the admission, something I had looked for years.”

TKJ said after the incident, the suspended dean began pressurising her for nude videos.

“He asked I make a nude video and send it to him. Before I could say anything, he ended the call.

“Later, he called again and demanded the video. I told him that I was still a virgin and he ended the call.

“I sent him a message on WhatsApp that I’m still very tight.

“He told me he would give me admission that I should not worry I should send the video. After so many calls, I had to send the video to him,” she said.

The witness said despite the sexual harassment protests on campus, the suspended dean requested more nude photographs from her.

“He kept requesting for more. I stopped replying him for some time. He called me and asked I send another from my chin downwards.

“The pressure from him was much. I agreed. I sent a view once he said it was deleted. This particular one from Chin was after the sexual harassment protest in UNICAL.”

TKJ also told the court that while the university panel probe was ongoing, the professor came to the front of her hostel in a tinted glass car.

The witness said she joined him in the car and was having a discussion when Ndifon tried to put his hand inside her trousers.

The PW2 said that after stopping him from doing that, he brought out his manhood and forcefully put it in her mouth.

Her words: “He tried to put his hand inside my trousers, and I removed it.

“He said what is it again. He brought out his manhood inside the car. He said I should suck and make him happy inside the car.

“I told him again I was in my period, and he said is it every day I was seeing my period?

“He bent my head to suck in front of my hostel. I begged him I wasn’t feeling fine but he didn’t listen.

“I told him I was fasting but he refused. He pushed my neck to suck it. I begged and begged but he forced it till he entered my mouth.

“He told me sorry that I should clear my tears before leaving his car.”

She said Ndifon later transferred N3,000 into her account to treat herself after requesting for the account details

After given her evidence, the prosecution counsel sought to tender the N3,000 bank receipt sent to the witness as evidence and it was admitted as exhibit after Ndifon’s lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN), withdrew his objection.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until February 7 for continuation.

Ndifon was, on January 25, re-arraigned alongside Sunny Anyanwu as 1st and 2nd defendants on an amended four-count charge bordering on alleged sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.

Anyanwu, who is one of the lawyers in the defence, was joined in the amended charge filed on January 22 by the ICPC on allegation that he called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threatened her.

Recall that at some point Ndifon was re-arraigned alongside his lawyer Mr. Sunny Anyanwu on an amended four-count charge bordering on alleged sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice,

Ndifon and Anyanwu are 1st and 2nd defendants respectively in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2023.

In count one, Ndifon was alleged to have, between May and September 2023 while being in the employment of UNICAL as Dean of Faculty of Law, caused one Miss TKJ (not real name), a diploma student of the university, to send pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself to him through his mobile telephone number: 08037066222 vide WhatsApp charts.

The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention) Act 2015.

In count three, the lawyer was alleged to have, sometime in November 2023 or thereabout, in Abuja during the pendency of the charge filed against Ndifon and on the prompting of the professor, called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone.

Anyanwu was alleged to have threatened her not to honour the invitation of the ICPC in respect of the criminal investigation against Ndifon, which conduct he knew was intended to perverse the cause of justice.

Daily Post

The ADR Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA SLP) will on Monday 19 February, 2024 hold a free workshop on Actionable Strategies for Mediation after Court Referrals.

According to a notice obtained from the Committee Chair, Boma Alabi, SAN, the event will commence by 1pm at Justice Umezulike Auditorium within the Enugu State High Court premises.

Although the governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, said his administration has begun the prosecution of a lawyer, Mrs. Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor, over abuse of her 11-year-old housemaid, Happiness, a non-governmental organisation Save and Secure the Child Initiative, The Campaign against Child Abuse in Nigeria claims o have arranged an out-court settlement on the matter.

A release signed by one Kingsley Obi on behalf of the association titled: Update On The Case Of Young Girl Brutalized By Her Madam At Amawbia, Anambra State reads:

Yesterday at our meeting, we decided that;

1. Both the husband and the culprit will sign an undertaking with us, to wit, that they won’t take in any underaged househelp.
2. That in lieu of court processes against her, considering that we have agreed to take into cognizance the fact that she is breastfeeding, and that none of her family members is in support of her, but are grateful to us, that she should open a fixed deposit of N2m with the victim as the beneficiary, which she will access on turning 18. Failing to do this, we shall start her prosecution. Eventually we settled for the sum of N500,000. By next week Saturday we shall effect it. We eventually had a meeting with the DPO to have these ratified.
3. The husband also accepted to train the victim henceforth to the university.

So, by next week Saturday we shall meet again to sign the undertaking and have the evidence of the Fixed deposit.

Our National Legal Advicer, Barrister SYZ Orlando adviced that whatever agreement must be done in the law court. But after much deliberation during our yesterday’s meeting, we settled with the above position, while keeping the later as an alternative means of action.

In addition to this, we handed over to the mother of the victim the sum of N30,000 as our contribution for her upkeep. Thereafter we officially handed over the victim to the mother.

Kingsley Obi (Anambra State Principal)
For: Save and Secure the Child Initiative, The Campaign against Child Abuse in Nigeria

The governor in a post on his official Facebook page, said the abuse of minors and vulnerable persons will not be tolerated in the state. 

“Mrs. Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor who visibly violated the young girl left in her custody is one out of many who do not deserve a place amongst decent humanity. We have commenced actions to ensure she is brought to Justice,” the Governor stated.

“This should serve as a firm warning to all Abusers of any kind, that Anambra State is not a place where their excesses will be condoned.

“Child’s Rights Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2017) have long been domesticated in Anambra together with other laws, and my administration is big on entrenching Law and Order as a foundation for building the liveable and prosperous homeland that we all seek.

“It is the highest sign of weakness to abuse or violate the vulnerable. This, and others like it, can not be tolerated in the Anambra State we are building.”

But for the timely intervention of neighbours, a female lawyer, Adachukwu Chukere Okafor would have killed her 11-year-old housemaid simply identified as Happiness Nwafor.

Adachukwu, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State pounced on the minor girl and started brutalising her with hot iron, broken bottle and knife for allegedly touching the private part of her girl child whom Happiness was bathing.

The agonies and cries of the victim attracted neighbours who rushed to the scene and rescued the girl from her hands.

The witnesses promptly notified the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfares of the horrible development.

It was gathered that Adachukwu had abandoned the girl on the street with her relatives and drove away after the act.

As activists and other citizens demand the arrest and prosecution of Cukelu-Okafor, Nigerians are keenly watching the unfolding of events.

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Chairperson of Renewed Hope Initiative, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON, CON has made good her words to support the health care delivery efforts of Nigerians in Diaspora, Sierra Leone Chapter (NIDO, SL) by donating $100,000.

The donation, according to a press statement by the organization, is a fulfillment of her pledge toward the construction of a first-class medical centre for Nigerians in Sierra Leone.

NIDO President in Sierra Leone, Engineer Abiodun Oyebola, requested her support due to the dire and urgent need for a medical centre, due to the dilapidated state of healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone. The NIDO MEDICAL CENTRE when completed and becomes operational will go a long way to address the medical needs of over 40,000 Nigerians living in Sierra Leone, and will no doubt complement the efforts of His Excellency, President Julis Maada Bio in closing the gaps in the health sector.

Nigeria’s First Lady met with a cross-section of members of the Nigerians in Diaspora, Sierra Leone on Sunday, November 19, 2023, during her visit to the country as the Special Guest of Honour to the commemoration of UN World Day, hosted by Her Excellency, Dr. Fatima Bio, the First lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation NIDO Sierra Leone SL was formed pursuant to a directive by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM in Abuja, headed by Hon Abike Dabiri. Hon. Dabiri-Erewa played a pivotal role in her characteristic professional way. Right from Abuja, she coordinated the meeting which proved to be the platform for Her Excellency, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu to meet with and inform the Nigerians in Sierra Leone of the great efforts being undertaken by her husband, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to revamp the Nigerian ailing economy. The meeting, no doubt was huge success.  Nigerians in attendance were able to interact directly with Her Excellency, The First Lady, to get first-hand information and clarifications on various issues on the economy, security, social development, etc, raised by the executive members, Patrons and members of the Board of Trustees of the NIDO SL, led by their President, Abiodun Oyebola.

The donation came in from the Renewed Hope Initiative, the humanitarian pet project of Her Excellency, Senator Tinubu. This is a very big boost to alleviate the challenges being faced by Nigerians in Sierra Leone, especially in the health delivery sector of the country. Recall that Sierra Leone is still grappling with the consequences of the 11-year brutal civil war that destroyed all national social infrastructure. Just as the government is struggling to reinstate the health and educational infrastructure, it recorded a big setback with the outbreak of the Ebola virus which ravaged the country from 2014 to early 2016 and killed over 4,000 people in the country. This was further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020 to 2022.

Massive support for the government and people in Sierra Leone in rebuilding the health sector is therefore a matter of very imperative concern. Some of these efforts are seen in the establishment of various private hospitals like Choithram Hospital (owned and managed by the Indians), Life Care Hospital (owned and managed by the Arabs), and The Chinese Hospital (owned and managed by the Chinese). As expected, these medical establishments naturally give priority to their nationals in the country while at the same time being open to the general public without any particular bias.

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Sierra Leone Chapter remains a trailblazer among the various NIDO chapters all over the world. NIDO Sierra Leone is the first to organise the largest single gathering of Nigerians abroad under one roof during the inauguration of President Abiodun Oyebola and his executives on July 6, 2019, where over 4, 500 Nigerians gathered to celebrate our national unity. This remains the largest gathering to date.

Similarly, the NIDO MEDICAL CENTRE, a project for non-profit, is the first of its kind in the diaspora. It is therefore not surprising that NIDO Sierra Leone is the First Chapter to formally receive and have in audience our dear First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who coincidentally was in Sierra Leone on her very first official trip outside Nigeria and in her capacity as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Report by Vanguard

• WOTCLEF Calls for prosecution of offenders

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) has described female genital mutilation (FGM) as “an unhealthy wicked traditional practice targeted at girls with no health benefits to the woman.”

In commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2024, FIDA Nigeria in a statement signed by its Country Vice President, Amina Suzanna Agbaje stated that: “The scars left by FGM indeed run deep, affecting the physical and emotional well-being of survivors.”

Likewise, the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) during an online interactive session held on Wednesday called for the prosecution of offenders.

During the session themed: Violence Prevention, Interventions and Gaps: Commemoration of FGM Day, participants agreed that while advocacy, education/enlightenment backed by evidence should be used to discourage this abhorrent practice the provisions of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) in 2015.

Section 6(2) of the Act criminalises and punishes anyone who performs, or engages another to perform, female circumcision or genital mutilation. Section 6(3) criminalises and punishes anyone who attempts to perform, or engage another to perform, the practice.

Essentially, the Act provides that the person who performs the circumcision and the person who procures the circumciser will be punished with an equal term of imprisonment not exceeding four yeras or to a fine not exceding N200,000 or both.

FIDA on its part stressed its commitment to investing in survivor-led movements. The statement titled: Her Voice. Her Future, reads:

Investing in FGM Survivor-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation

Every Survivor’s voice is a loud and powerful cry, calling out for ACTION; collective action to end the vicious cycle of the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM) in Nigeria.

FGM is an unhealthy wicked traditional practice targeted at girls with no health benefits to the woman. Rather she is exposed to a host of medical complications which includes physical pains, emotional and psychological trauma, sometimes resulting in grave consequences such as death.

It is a serious violation of a woman’s human right, however because it is deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs it has remained difficult to change in Nigeria

The haunting echoes of pain and suffering caused by Female Genital Mutilation demand our collective attention and action.

FIDA Nigeria believes in the strength and resilience of survivors in reclaiming their lives. The scars left by FGM indeed run deep, affecting the physical and emotional well-being of survivors. Persons who ordinarily would have had a full and fruitful life riding to the Pinnacle of their chosen fields.

As the world observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on the 6th of February 2024, FIDA Nigeria stands in solidarity with such survivors and amplifies the theme for this year: Her Voice. Her Future.

“The Sustainable Development Goals contain a specific target calling for an end to FGM. When this practice is fully abandoned, positive effects will reverberate across societies as girls and women reclaim their health, human rights, and vast potential.” — UN Secretary-General

FIDA Nigeria recognizes survivors are not just victims but resilient individuals whose voices need to be heard. Their stories are a good testament to the urgency of our collective responsibility to eradicate this harmful practice.

This year’s theme, “Her Voice. Her Future.”, emphasizes the importance of empowering survivors to become leaders in the fight against FGM.

FIDA Nigeria is committed to investing in survivor-led movements, providing them with the support and resources they need to drive change in their communities.

Survivors are not statistics; they are living testaments to the strength of the human spirit. Their voices matter, and it is time for us to listen and act.

We believe in the positive impact of continued sensitization and advocacy especially at the grassroots through collective efforts to shout ‘No To FGM’ to save women.

Everyone has a part to play speaking out against FGM’ as practiced in your communities and educating the youth especially. Women affected should report to the closest health facilities around you to be properly checked to avoid infections and other dire consequences.

Support women to succeed

Join FIDA Nigeria on 6 February 2024 as we amplify

HerVoiceMatters in leading the #EndFGM movement. Together, let us create a future where every girl and woman is free from the shackles of Female Genital Mutilation.

FOR: FIDA NIGERIA
Signed

Amina Suzanah Agbaje, (Mrs.)
Country Vice President/National President

• Another man in Enugu violates eight-month-old daughter

Although there has been a surge in bizarre sexual attacks against vulnerable persons; yet not a few were shell shocked when news of a man who allegedly violated his eight months old daughter made the rounds.

On Tuesday, February 4, an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court ordered the remand of the 54-year-old Michael Uduigwome, in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling his eight-month-old daughter.

Uduigwome, who lives on Rasaq Balogun St., Surulere, Lagos State, was charged with defilement.

The Chief Magistrate, O A Layinka, who did not take his plea ordered that the case file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Layinka adjourned the case until April 30 for DPP advice.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Lucky Ihieme told the court that Uduigwome committed the offence sometime in October 2023 at his residence. Ihieme alleged that Uduigwome defiled his own baby (name withheld) when she was in his care.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. If convicted, he is liable to life imprisonment as provided for in the criminal code.

In April 2016, a non governmental organization, Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Tamar SARC, expressed concern over the activities of rapists in Enugu State.

Executive Director of the Women Aid Collective, WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, who disclosed this at a media forum, gave a graphic detail of some of the cases.

Expressing concern over the development, Ezeilo disclosed that: “On the 21st of March 2016, an eight-month old infant, referred to Tamar SARC from a State owned hospital was brought to the center by her mother to report serial defilement by her father in Emene.

“The mother detailed her husband’s strange behavior. She explained that she observed that her husband often had an erection when he carried his daughter on his lap. She also mentioned that her husband would purposefully send her out of the house to be alone with the daughter in a locked room.

“Though her daughter cannot yet speak, she noticed that her daughter would let out loud shouts of pain when alone with Mr. N. Her suspicions were heightened on 20th of March 2016 due to an incident that she described in detail: ‘I was feeding the baby when my husband who was eating outside came in complaining that he was disturbed by flies. He then told me to go and get his cup of water and leave the baby with him. While I was returning I heard the girl scream and cry. When I asked him what happened he explained that he had scared our daughter with a grin (facial expression).’”

The case, according to her, has been reported to the police.

Giving insight into other cases, Ezeilo asked: “What do a 9 year old girl and a 78 year old man have in common? On first look, one might suggest a familial connection in the form of granddaughter and grandfather. Unfortunately, these two had a relationship that took a sinister turn.

“On the 10th of June 2015, client 285, a minor, came to Tamar SARC, the sexual assault referral center managed by Women Aid Collective (WACOL) and funded by Justice for All (J4A), to report her sexual assault committed by Mr. W. O.

“She narrated her ordeal to Tamar SARC highly trained medical professionals alleging that her 78 year old landlord used threats and intimidation to subdue her before committing the wicked act. Mr. O. invited her to his flat while he was alone, stripped her naked and defiled her.

“In the girl’s words, ‘He used his hands first, to rub my vagina and later, his mouth to have oral sex with me before penetrat­ing inside me. He told me that, though his penis is big, he has to use it on me anyway, and he had sex with me in my vagina and my anus.’”

“Immediately after the act, the girl was bleeding profusely and Mr. O. tried to stop the bleeding by cleaning her vagina with his handkerchief and shirt, before his wife came in unexpectedly.

“Client 285 recalled, ‘While he was clean­ing me up, the wife came knocking at the door. The wife’s knock was so loud that he later opened the door and the wife asked me what the husband did, and I told her.”

The Conclave/Daily Post

To commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), members and executives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) Abuja branch led by its Chairperson, Chibuzo M. Nwosu took its advocacy campaign to Karmo Junior Secondary, Abuja.

The visit was also aimed at introducing FIDA had the FIDA Chairperson encouraging the school children to speak up and report any case of FGM, rape or Incest to their parents and school authority.

The Publicity Secretary of the branch, Olosen Victoria Ibiezugbe enlightened the students on the essence of the internationally recognized event which is marked on the 6th of February each year to create awareness of the harmful practice of FGM and the punishment of the offence, using the Section 6 of the VAPP Act 2015 as a guiding law.

The excited children were fully armed with the knowledge of the law against FGM as they asked brilliant questions in this regard.

In appreciation, principal of the school, Mrs. Zainab Hassan thanked the FIDA team for a very enlightening programme and sued for a continuous engagement with the school.

The FIDA team are: Chibuzo M Nwosu (Chairperson), Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga (General Secretary), Olosen Victoria Ibiezugbe (Publicity Secretary), Christy Oluchukwu (Member) and Andikan Umoh (Member)