FIDA Nigeria strongly condemns in its entirety and in the strongest terms possible, all forms of gender-based violence against women, particularly those against female students in secondary and tertiary institutions by staff of the institutions, such as teachers and lecturers.

In this vein, FIDA Nigeria totally condemns the alleged sexual harassment of female students by the embattled Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon as reported recently in various news platforms.

We vehemently denounce these acts as vile and an ugly menace that must be eradicated from our institutions of learning, and our society at large. Students are in school to be educated and must be guided and protected while learning, not to be intimidated and taken advantage of because of their vulnerability and/or gender.

It is alarming that sexual harassment of females particularly in tertiary institutions has assumed a perilously critical dimension, constituting a horrifying kind of violence targeted at violating the fundamental human rights of a person.

It is a form of sexual victimization of an individual using unequal power relations. This pandemic is so vile and encompasses acts revolving around explicit or implicit sexual overtures including unwelcome sexual remarks or physical advances, and inappropriate promises of reward in exchange for sexual favours in the workplace, professional or social setting amongst others.

These acts have been criminalized by the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and indeed, the extant VAPP Law of Cross Rivers State.

Being that the state and all persons of goodwill are under a duty to give effect to these statutory provisions against all forms of violence, including desisting from aiding and/or abetting of same in any manner or to any degree, FIDA Nigeria therefore unequivocally condemns the alleged intimidation of some of the students who bravely spoke up on the alleged Ndifon’s case, currently under investigation.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, by her professional calling and the expectations of her ministerial office, owes a duty of leading the charge towards protecting women from all acts of abuse, including encouraging and supporting victims of sexual and gender-based violence to break the culture of silence and get justice, hence the alleged distasteful manner in which she interrogated the vulnerable and possibly traumatized students is shocking and greatly disappointing.

FIDA Nigeria is keenly observing, and shall not hesitate to proceed against such perpetrators, and all persons or individuals who support such acts of violence either by their utterances or actions/ inaction, or who may try to suppress the reportage of these sort of violence meted out to persons.

We remain steadfast on our mandate to protect, promote, and preserve the rights of vulnerable women and children using the instrumentality of law, strongly supporting and standing behind all survivors of violence of any kind, including those of sexual harassment and all forms of gender-based violence, and encouraging them to speak up on these crimes as their voices are meant to be heard, and justice delivered for the crimes perpetrated against them.

In conclusion, as the probe panel constituted to further investigate all facets of this case against the embattled Dean Prof C. Ndifon continue in their task, FIDA Nigeria is closely monitoring the proceedings and shall not stand by and watch perpetrators and supporters of these heinous crimes whether highly placed or not, harass, cower, intimidate, badger, suppress and or attempt to wriggle their way out of facing justice and shall follow this matter intently to ensure that justice is gotten at the end of the day, as no one is above the law.

Therefore, we call on the Government, NAPTIP, Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and indeed everyone to stand up against this scourge that has slowly crept into the fabric of our nation and ensure that all forms of violence in whatever form it presents itself is stopped!!

We also call on all Students to Stand Tall and Speak their Truth!

Signed

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

 #FIDAnigeria

#saynotoallformsofviolence

#saynotosexualharrasment

#EndGBVNow

Earlier, the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) leant its voice to the alleged sexual harassment question.

SPIDEL’s statement titled —Allegations of Sexual Harassment at the University of Calabar: NBA-SPIDEL Condemns Undue Interference, Witness Tampering and Demands a Fair Investigation reads:

The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), a branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is dedicated to promoting the rule of law, economic development, and the growth of public interest law in Nigeria. Our vision is to make public interest and development law an integral part of our national life and development, ensuring access to effective remedies for victims of violations of the law and abuse of power.

It has come to SPIDEL’s attention that students of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, have courageously come forward to voice allegations of misconduct, bordering on financial impropriety, sexual harassment and abuse of office against Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law. Furthermore, these students have alleged that those who challenge Prof. Ndifon’s alleged corrupt practices face threats, including the refusal to provide them with law school forms upon graduation. In response, the University of Calabar administration has initiated a thorough investigation into these allegations by establishing an investigative panel.

SPIDEL is deeply concerned and disturbed by recent developments surrounding the investigation which border on witness and evidence tampering. SPIDEL is particularly troubled about the alleged actions of the newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye in relation to the matter. Recent revelations, including leaked audio recordings of the Minister of Women Affairs’ conversations with some of the student victims, have raised serious concerns. In the said audio recordings, the Minister can be heard attempting to influence the testimonies of these students and discourage them from participating in the ongoing investigation. The Minister’s actions amount to witness tampering.

SPIDEL strongly condemns witness tampering in any form, as it undermines the pursuit of justice and the truth. We call on all parties involved to refrain from further engaging in that act and to allow the investigative panel to carry out its work independently and diligently.

SPIDEL vehemently condemns this blatant abuse of power by Minister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye which has culminated in the harassment and exploitation of young law students at the institution. We view this not just as a simple Ministerial failing, but recognize it as an issue of professional misconduct and a reflection of broader societal challenges that must be addressed promptly and effectively.

SPIDEL calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into these allegations and insists on accountability, transparency, and appropriate action to address this deeply concerning matter. We stress that the reputation of the legal community, the rights of the victims, all other students, and the integrity of the investigative panel are at stake.

The Nigerian Bar Association, to which SPIDEL belongs, holds a steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism within the legal community, with zero tolerance for unprofessional behavior, particularly when it pertains to matters as serious as the allegations being brought forth against Madam Minister!

While SPIDEL has no objection to groups and individuals following up on the investigation, we insist that actions that impede the investigative process be avoided. The Minister for Women Affairs, Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, is respectfully advised to refrain from further involvement in this matter to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

On the allegations against Professor Cyril Ndifon, SPIDEL, committed to promoting the rule of law, economic development, and the growth of public interest law in Nigeria, acknowledges that these allegations not only compromise the integrity of legal education but also infringe upon the rights and well-being of the affected individuals. SPIDEL states that it is disheartening that allegations of this nature have persisted against Prof. Ndifon for years. Therefore, we urge the University of Calabar, the Nigerian Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into these allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of office so that the matter will be settled once and for all. All relevant authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure that justice is served and that those found guilty of any wrongdoing face appropriate consequences. Young Nigerian students, particularly females, must be protected.

SPIDEL empathizes with the students who have shown immense bravery in coming forward to share their experiences and calls for their protection and support throughout this process. We also urge the University of Calabar to stay focused on conducting a fair and transparent investigation, ensuring that all parties involved have the opportunity to be heard.

SPIDEL reiterates her commitment to the principles of justice, transparency, and the protection of the rights of all involved parties and will closely monitor developments and provide support as necessary to ensure that a fair and just resolution is achieved in this matter.

About SPIDEL:
The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) is a specialized branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) dedicated to promoting public interest law, development, and access to justice in Nigeria. SPIDEL is committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and advancing social justice in the country.

Dated this 13th day of September, 2023.

John Aikpokpo-Martins
Chairman.

Funmi Adeogun
Secretary.

• As Sam Amadi calls for the scraping Nigerian law school
• Says it has outlived its usefulness

President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu C. Maikyau has called for Igba Boyi an Igbo apprenticeship scheme to be implemented as a national mentorship policy.

This is even as a former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Sam Amadi, has called for the scrapping of the Nigerian Law School, stressing that it no longer has any use in the society.

Maikyau, Amadi, NBA General Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite, Senator Ben Obi, a member of the 5th Senate who represented Anambra Central at the National Assembly, many senior members of the Bar including Ex-Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, Benbella Anachebe, SAN, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, Chief Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Iyom Josephine Anenih, the Attorney General of Abia State and others were part of the Igba Boyi Endowment Launch hosted by Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja (Igbo Lawyers Association) on Thursday.

In the Keynote address Amadi, who is also the director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts said the Nigerian Law School which was established to provide practical knowledge for young lawyers no longer serves the purpose.

Describing the Nigerian legal system as one of the most corrupt in the world, Amadi averred that the law school is a waste of time and resources, adding that it should be scrapped.

“So, I think that we need to rethink the whole framework of Nigeria. In my view, the law school is failing. It is no longer serving its purpose. The law school is designed to provide technical practical education. So the question I ask is, What are they providing? My view is, that purpose is best served at a law firm. Many lawyers who go to law school do not practice. Some of them go into journalism, broadcasting, or they go and teach in the university. So I would like us to strengthen the university education for lawyers in order for them to have a broad analytical competency.

“In the United States, when you finish your legal education in the university, you do a quick exam for call as lawyers. Here, we can license our universities to take three to six months special rush course for our law students to qualify to practice. After that, they go to the chambers where they learn real practice. The only way one can get pupillage is in a law firm.

“What is the law school providing for our young graduates? The law school is not rigorous, either academic or practical. So my view is we must focus on universities to give robust academic training. Those who want to practice law should go and do some crash course in the universities to get qualified as lawyers. Then they go to the law firms or corporate places to learn corporate law or legal practice.

“Law as practiced is not thought in the law school. Stop the law school and the waste of resources. Accredit universities to do three to six months, just like they do in America. After graduating as a lawyer, you go and take classes and pass the instructions and get called to the bar. Then all the learning will happen at a law firm where senior lawyers now have obligation to train those young lawyers to understand the practice,” Amadi said.

The law teacher and rights activist further described Igba Boyi as a welcome development noting that the idea of replicating the apprenticeship model in the legal circle will help young lawyers gain valuable experience at reputation law firms.

According to him, the model which he said is now studied at Harvard is a unique way of knowledge transfer and it is needed to save the law profession from moral disaster.

He said: “The idea is that lawyers will seek knowledge from the established ones and also, the established lawyers will also be generous enough to support our young people, not just knowledge but in paying them. So what the Igbo lawyers are trying to do is to provide funding to encourage young people so that with the help of the senior lawyers, the junior ones will acquire not just knowledge, and also virtue.

“Today, the law and judiciary are the most corrupt parts of Nigerian society because everybody wants to make money. So I want to say that if we can restore pupillage and make it real and provide incentive for young people to go and learn, then we can save the law profession from a moral disaster. This is a totally disastrous state. The law professional is shameful and undignified because of the behavior of lawyers and judges.

On his part, NBA President Maikyau, who described the apprenticeship scheme as the best way to transfer skills, character and knowledge declared NBA’s support for the initiative, while assuring that the scheme would be expanded to become a national mentorship policy of the federal government.

He, however, appealed that the scheme should not be limited to only Igbo lawyers.

“If you are the best of lawyers without character, there is no way that intellect is going to transfer or translate into value. So this is a mentorship model. Like I said, it is welcome into our fold as lawyers, but please let us not limit it to the Igbos. We should extend it to others. We should take it to the north and west because this is something that is going to bring benefit to each and every one of us.

“So as I congratulate you for coming up with this idea, this is something that has actually distinguished the Igbo nation across the world and you can see how effective it has been to transforming the Igbo nation to an enterprising nation. And that’s one thing you can’t take away from the Igbos.

“The Initiative is something that the NBA wholly supports. And I believe that since I am your ambassador, whatever we agree here, give it to me and we’ll pass it across the nation. I would actually be glad to receive the resolution from this meeting as I’ll pass it across to the government. We will make a recommendation that this becomes a national mentorship policy of the federal government of Nigeria.”

Commending Otu Oka-Iwu over the initiative Chief Agabi, SAN who made a donation of N15 million in support of the project however, expressed concern over the loss of ethics and values in the legal profession.

Noting that ‘hot money is a problem in our profession today”, he charged lawyers to “beware of the source of the money you bring home.”

The initiator of the project and President of Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja Chapter, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso said the endowment fund is a legacy project aimed at replicating the success of Ndigbo in business within the legal profession by institutionalizing mentorship and career development for young lawyers.

Onwuaso remarked that though the legal profession was originally modelled to imbibe the practice of pupillage, the exponential growth in the number of fresh graduates emerging from the Nigerian Law School yearly has made it impracticable for existing law firms and forbears to absorb such young lawyers in their law firms for purposes of pupillage.

This lack of capacity and financial resources on the part of the few established law firms to absorb the huge population of young lawyers within the profession according to him, often leads to a misplacement of priority, lack of proper mentoring, guidance, and missed opportunity on the part of such innocent young wigs who, he said often time derail from the focal point of building a career path along their chosen profession.

On the selection process, he said: “For now, the threshold is young lawyers with one to five years experience. These are the people that are most vulnerable and exposed. The most germane thing this does for them is that if you don’t have someone shaping your focus along the path of sustainable development, you may derail having spent years at the university as well as the law school.  That age-long aspiration might be lost on the altar of lack of adequate mentorship and privileges of having a law firm to attach with.

“We also aim to run a model of a minimum of six months. For now, it’s subject to the availability of funds. That’s why we’re doing the endowment launch to see if we can raise funds to enable us to finance this salary. We’re proposing a stipend of at least N50,000 at the moment to see if it can cater for their transportation needs. Also, we are trying to impress upon the law firms who are our partners as well, that it doesn’t stop, start and end with the stipend we are offering. Of their own volition they may choose to augment but the focal point is to offer a platform to young lawyers to learn and to perfect the scale of legal practice.”

OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, UJU KENNEDY, OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS, NIGERIA – SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

SEXUAL HARASSMENT – WOMANIFESTO CONDEMNS THREATS AGAINST UNICAL STUDENTS. WE DEMAND PUBLIC APOLOGY AND RETRACTION!

Dear Hon Minister,

1. We write as Womanifesto, a Woman’s Rights Movement of over 500 activists, practitioners, professionals, and NGOs, and formally condemn in strong terms, the audio and video statements credited to you, Hon. Uju Kennedy, as Minister of Women Affairs, in which you threatened the female law students of the University of Calabar for accusing the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Cyril Ndifon, of sexual harassment. 

• Womanifesto is gravely concerned about your utterances on the UNICAL sexual harassment case and their implications for the interest and protection of vulnerable women. If you recall, Womanifesto sent a strong delegation to the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs in Abuja, on Tuesday, September 12, to express our disappointment and dissatisfaction over the way and manner the situation in UNICAL has been handled by you. The delegation highlighted the sadly alarming prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in our society, and, even more so, in our tertiary institutions. Our delegation called on the Minister to desist from interfering in the case of sexual harassment against Prof. Ndifon and interfacing with the female student victims in the case, with the possible motive of silencing them. 

• We were shocked that the Hon. Minister was heard in the audio recording threatening the students with dire consequences if they continued to pursue the case of sexual harassment against Professor Ndifon. According to the Hon. Minister, since the girls had admitted to you that they were not raped, it means they were not sexually harassed. Thus, it appears rape (penetrative sexual intercourse) is the only form of sexual harassment recognized by the Minister. It is shocking, to say the least, that a Minister of Women Affairs should hold such a narrow and erroneous view of what constitutes sexual harassment. The United Nations clearly describes sexual harassment as “sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whether implicitly or explicitly”.

• In the audio, the Minister also insinuated that the students were being used and manipulated by some people to get Professor Ndifon out of office so “they” themselves could take his place. We note that Professor Ndifon, who is currently on suspension from the university, has gone to court to make a case against what he called a campaign to smear his image. The utterances of the Minister of Women Affairs on the case of sexual harassment against Professor Ndifon, therefore, can only be seen as taking sides with him. Our delegation was clear in explaining this issue to your good self during the meeting.

• Let it be stated clearly that Womanifesto outrightly condemns attempts to trivialize sexual harassment by narrowly reducing it to penetrative sex or rape. We demand a retraction from the Hon. Minister and an apology to the innocent students who have been bullied and traumatized by you.

• We believe the Office of the Minister of Women Affairs should be investing its energies in rallying support for victims and survivors of sexual harassment and all forms of gender-based violence, and mitigating all factors that could compound the vulnerability of women and girls.

• We are calling on the Human Rights Commission, ICPC, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that those women and girls who have the courage to come forward when they have been sexually violated receive adequate protection and justice. We are also calling on well-meaning Nigerians to lend their support to efforts to rid our campuses of sexual predators who abuse their office and power to sexually exploit our young women and children who simply want to pursue academic aspirations. 

• Womanifesto commends the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL for forging ahead to ensure that justice is done despite the uncomfortable circumstances. We are urging her to do all that she can to ensure that the students involved are shielded from exposure to any more vulnerable situations and harm than they have already endured. We are equally urging university authorities in UNICAL and elsewhere in the country to provide safe spaces where the voices of more students who have been victims of sexual harassment can be heard loud and clear. Bearing in mind that perpetrators tend to have a pattern of sexual abuse that sometimes spans their entire academic career, it is important that school authorities and law enforcement agencies encourage female alumni who were abused while they were in school to also come forward.

• We use this opportunity to strongly urge the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately do the needful by assenting to the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Law. His continued delay in the face of frequent allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and impunity on the part of lecturers in our tertiary institutions is very curious. Nigeria is a signatory to quite a number of International Treaties (and has, on her own, passed several laws) which aim to protect the rights of women and girls; these include the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the ILO Declaration on Sexual Harassment and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, among others. These are all compelling reasons for the President to expeditiously assent to the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Law.

1. Your utterances, Hon. Minister, have no doubt done a lot of damage to the collective of Nigerian Women and girls and we hereby demand that you publicly apologise for meddling in the UNICAL sexual harassment case against Prof. Ndifon and attempting to silence the voices of the students who are victims of the harassment. We expect your commitment to justice and fair play. We expect no less from the office of the Minister of Women Affairs.

1. As you are well aware, Hon. Minister, Nigerian women, activists and advocates have worked hard doggedly over decades to reduce women’s vulnerability and see the dawn of prosecution of perpetrators of sexual abuse and violence against women, as well as justice and healing for victims and survivors. We will not accept a situation where the most important public office that should be working with us to advance the interests of women and girls becomes a threat to the gains we have made over the years.

1. We will spare no efforts in taking further action that may affect your position if you do not do the needful by taking steps to apologise publicly and retract your threats to the students and utterances on rape and sexual harassment. If you are seen to take steps to make amends, this will douse the tension that your utterances have generated and lessen the sense of intimidation that the victims have been subjected to.

1.  A Minister of Women Affairs cannot be seen to be working against women’s affairs. We stated this clearly to you when our delegation met with you on Tuesday, September 12. We are shocked that 3 days later, you have not taken any steps to retract your statements and make amends.

1. As noted at the meeting, women in Nigeria are committed to ensuring that the Ministry of Women Affairs becomes a viable institution for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls in Nigeria. We hope the Hon. Minister will work with us in achieving this goal; that is our minimum expectation of your good self.

1. Womanifesto stands with the victims and calls for justice for students all over the country that continue to face sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual harassment and rape.

Signed

—————————————

Signed on behalf of Women Groups

Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

Co-Convener, Womenifesto

CC

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria

Chairman, ICPC

Chairman, NHRC

Attorney General Federation

Office of the First Lady, Senator Chief Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu

Signed by

9jafeminista

Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls

Above Whispers Foundation

Action Aid Nigeria

ACTS Generation GBV

Ade Grange Child Foundation

ADEM Community Human Development Foundation

 Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)

Advocate for Health and Development Initiative

Advocacy for Women with Disabilities

African Women’s Initiative (AWI)

Albertiqs Extra Helping Hands Foundation

African Research Group on Gender Association of ALIWE

Daughters Ajegunle Community Project

Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation

Alliances for Africa (AfA)

Amazing Grace Inspirations

Aminchi Women Cooperative Society

Amnesty International Nigeria

ARDA Development Communication Inc.

Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.

ASWHAN

ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)

Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA)

Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Network (ANWBN)

Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA)

AWEP

ANWIB

AWFAN

FEBWE

FEDAN

BLECCA Foundation

 Bring Back Our Girls

Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)

Baobab for Women’s Human Rights

Cece Yara Foundation

Cedar Seed Foundation

   CEE-HOPE Nigeria

Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)

Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)

Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)

Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)

Centre for Peace Education and Community Development

Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)

Change Managers International Network

Center for Women’s Health and Information

Centre for Media and Development Communications

Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC)

Citizenship and Human Development Initiative

Charity Women Spring of Salvation

Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society

Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative (CCAPI)

 Choung-Dung Women Association.

Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)

Christian Women in Nigerian Politics

Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)

Community and Youth Development

Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)

Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society

Community Life Project (CLP)

Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)

Community Women Initiatives (CWI)

Country Associates Network (CAN)

Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)

Crestville Development Foundation (CDF)

CWEMA

Daria Media Foundation (DMF)

Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)

 Diaspora Womanifesto2019

Dinidari Foundation (DF)

Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)

Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives

Edo Women’s Development Initiative

Education as a Vaccine (EVA)

EiE Nigeria

Emerge Women (EW)

Empowerment and Action Research Centre (EARC)

Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)

Equity Advocates/ The Woman Today Newspaper

FACICP Disability Plus

FAME Foundation

Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)

Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)

Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)

Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)

First Future Leadership

Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)

FRED

FEDAN

Gender Action Awareness Trust

Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)

Gender and Development Action (GADA)

Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)

Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)

Gender Development Initiative

Gender Equality Center

Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre

Gender Technical Unit (GTU)

Gender Strategy Advancement

International Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives

 Girl Child Africa

Girl Child Education, Care and Rehabilitation

Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)

Girls Power Initiative (GPI)

Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)

 Green Spring Development Initiative

Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)

Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)

 Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation

Heal Disability Initiative

Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative

Health Reform Foundation Of Nigeria (HERFON)

HEIR Women Development (HWD)

Help Initiative for Social Justice and Humanitarian Development

Hope for New Life (HNL)

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria

Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)

Inter Africa Committee (IAC)

Inter Gender Peace Foundation (IGPF)

International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) Women Network

International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)

International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)

International Women Communication Centre

Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF)

Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing

Jana Health Foundation (JHF)

Julie Oyegun

Foundation for Justice Development and Peace (FJDP)

Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)

KMashi Gamji Women

Kebetkache Women Development And Resources Centre

Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)

Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative (KTMDI)

League of Queens International Empowerment (LQIE)

League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)

LEDAP

Lift Initiative

League of Queens International Empowerment

Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women Initiative (LACVAW)

MBULA Women Association

Media & Teens Network

Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children (MODAC)

More Women in Politics

My Voice My Future NGO

Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)

 NAWE

NNEW

NAWORG

Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)

 National Centre for Women Development

National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)

NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women

Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation

Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN

Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)

NEWA

NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society

 Nigeria For Women Project

Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee

 Nigerian Express

Nigerian Women Politics Forum

Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)

Non For Now

Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)

Ogun Women Alive

Okwuzi Women Forum

Olive Community Development Initiatives

Onomese Foundation

Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD)

Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative

Ovie Brume Foundation

Partners West Africa

Peasant Dragnet

Princess Olufemi-Kayode

Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)

Project Alert on Violence Against Women

Ray of Hope Community Foundation

Relief Development Initiative Kaduna

Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative

Sesor Empowerment Foundation

She Forum Africa

Safe Space Initiative

Save a Child Lend a Hand Foundation

Sheforshe Africa Initiative

She Mentors Initiative

Shout Global Health

Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON)

South- South Professional Women Association.

Stand to End Rape (STER)

Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation

Support for Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)

TechHerNG

THR Media

The Inclusion Project (TIP)

The Priceless Jewels Foundation

HERFESSIONS INITIATIVE

Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation

Transformation and Development Center (TDC)

Transition Monitoring Group

Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)

UC Women Commission

UTO Foundation

Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)

Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)

West African Network for Peace

WEWE NETWORK AFRIQUE

WEPDN

Widows Development Organization (WIDO)

Woman-Being Concern Nigeria (WBC)

Women’s Leadership Group (WLG)

Women &Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)

Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)

Women AT Risk International Foundation (WARIF)

Women Aid Collective (WACOL)

Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative

Women Youth and Children Upliftment Foundation (WYCUT)

Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

Women Education Advocacy and Development Initiatives (WEADI)

Women Empowerment and Initiative Development

Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)

Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)

Women Environmental Programme (WEP)

Women Farmers Alliance (WFA)

Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)

Women for Women International (W4WI)

Women Foundation Initiative (WFI) Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)

Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPGADEC)

Former Women Action Organization (WAO)

Women in Africa Initiative (WIAI)

Women in Agriculture (WIA)

Women in Mining (WIM)

Women in Politics Forum (WiPF)

Women Information Network (WINET)

Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)

Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)

Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)

Women Lead Agric (WLA)

Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Women of Vision Development Initiative

Women Protection Organization (WOPO)

Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)

Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)

Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program

Women Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF

Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)

Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri

Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)

Working Moms Africa (WMA)

Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

Women Initiative on Climate Change

Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ)

WISCAR

Women Democracy Network Africa – Nigeria

WomenPreneurs (AWEBO)

Yiaga Africa

Youth Future Savers Initiative (YFSI)

Zonta International Club of Lagos 150MAWSP

100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG)

• Says exercising the courage to confront impropriety is not a crime
• New video shows Minister of Women Affairs issuing fresh jail threats

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has expressed concern over the leaked viral audio where the Minister of Women Affairs Mr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye was heard threatening and intimidating some of the girls who came out to testify on alleged sexual harassment of female law students against Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon.

In a press conference held Friday (today) at the University Council Chambers Prof. Oki said: “The students should rather be encouraged and the University commended for being on the right path. In greater need of this encouragement are the girls whose educational empowerment is key to their survival in an oppressive and dominant patriarchal culture that yields little or no space for women…”

Expressing dismay over the minister’s conduct, the VC further added: “The panel has livestream sessions on Zoom, as advertised on some national dailies, through which interested persons participate.

“Despite all these, sadly, there are people who choose to politicise and look at the effort of the Management differently as if exercising the courage to confront impropriety is a crime…”

Prior to the VC’s press conference, a viral video of the minister threatening to jail anyone found to have lied in the Ndifon matter began to trend.

Watch the video below.

The full speech reads:

Press Briefing by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Calabar on Friday 15th  September, 2023 at the University Council Chamber by 10am.

Gentlemen of the Press,

Good morning. As much as  I am usually delighted to be in your midst and to interact with all of you, I still feel somewhat concerned that I have to do this more often, of late, under an atmosphere of negative publicity that the University has been receiving recently. There is no doubt that we have witnessed tremendous achievements in the last two years, by all tests and measurements. It is still a little concerning that the institution has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons through no fault in its policies or leadership.

Gentlemen of the Press, you are all aware of the ill wind that has been blowing in our revered Faculty of Law as a result of allegations of sexual improprieties and managerial turbulence that are threatening the integrity of the legal training in the         University. While management has tried to deal with the issues within the procedural laws of administrative resolution, a completely new dimension has unfortunately reared its head in a way that has left us nonplussed with the leaked viral audio of intimidation and jail threats from the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, on the few girls who were bold enough to come out to testify on an alleged age-long sexual harassment of female law students against Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

 In order to clear the stuffy air around these developments, I find it pertinent to address you, once again, on the vexed allegations of sexual harassment and violation of extant rules and regulations of the University leveled against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, which have regrettably cast a long shadow over our dear institution in the last one month. 

While I do not consider it expedient to respond to the disturbing things said by the Minister in the said audio, I wish to generally state that, the students of the Faculty of Law, on their own, wrote and submitted a petition and protested against the suspended Dean. And, as I know, those who have testified before the panel on both sexual harassment and other violations were not prompted by anyone. Let me categorically state here that the sustained orientation my administration has had in the last couple of years has created the atmosphere that inspires confidence amongst students to speak out against exploitation, victimization and harassment of any sort. The students should rather be encouraged and the University commended for being on the right path. In greater need of this encouragement are the girls whose educational empowerment is key to their survival in an oppressive and dominant patriarchal culture that yields little or no space for women.

Having said that, let me appreciate the enormity of the office occupied by my sister, Mrs. Uju Kennedy the Honorable Minister. But my responsibility as Vice-Chancellor and those of other well-meaning Nigerians, no matter their office or position  in life, are no less important in the building of a greater Nigeria.  Indeed, we are all partners in building our nation and serving humanity.

As I urge for patience from the general public with the investigative panel, let me state the resolve of the University Management to remain focused on doing the right thing and carrying out an objective and comprehensive investigation, the outcome of which, I believe, will be helpful to our beloved University. It is for this reason, the Management gave approval, as requested by the Panel, for extension of time for completion of the investigative assignment.

 As a reminder, I wish to restate the fact that this administration has nothing personal against Prof. Cyril Ndifon other than her commitment to seeing that the university achieves her vision, mission and philosophy which are centred on;

“The production of quality graduate, contribution to development, pursuit of knowledge for enlightenment, freedom and service to humanity”. 

I can proudly state that, aside imparting knowledge on the area of academic discipline, my interventions as a teacher, mother and administrator in the University have been mainly directed at nurturing, mentoring, inculcating ethical values and empowering students to hold their heads high and be counted anywhere in the world. In a society where ethical values are fast vanishing, we cannot afford to aim any less.

To demonstrate the Management’s interest in ensuring an objective, unbiased investigation, we accepted the request from some agencies and groups  to serve as observers. Consequently, the facts-finding panel has observers from different bodies, including:

1. The Public Complaints Commission
2. The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (represented by a member from the University Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit).
3. The Nigeria Bar Association – National
4. The Nigeria Police Gender Unit (D12)
5. The Federation of Female Lawyers
6. The University of Calabar Alumni Association – National
7. Chief Judge of Malabor High Court (rep of students).

In addition to this, the panel has livestream sessions on zoom, as advertised on some national dailies, through which interested persons participate.

Despite all these, sadly, there are people who choose to politicise and look at the effort of the Management differently as if exercising the courage to confront impropriety is a crime.

Gentlemen of the Press, let me again emphasize that sexual harassment is not the only issue being investigated by the university (although it has taken the centre stage with the public). There are equally serious matters which relate to violation of extant rules and regulations of the University being investigated as raised in the student’s petition.

Let me use this opportunity and assure the general public that we are not going to be distracted by any noise, accusations and ‘alternative truths’ some have chosen to engage in.

I remain committed to my sworn determination to lift the University of Calabar to higher pedestal and reckoning. In the end, the successes recorded so far and the ones ahead, God willing, shall overwhelm this noise.

Thank you.

Prof. Florence Banku Obi

Vice-Chancellor

• Activists urge LPPC to do more due diligence before nominations

Public affairs analysts are insisting that the due diligence that goes into the process for nominating Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) could be improved following the recent nomination of Professor Benedicta Daudu for the rank of SAN.

Prof. Benedicta Lopez Daudu is number 11 on the list of shortlisted academic applicants. While the advocate applicants are 57, the academic applicants are 12 in the just-released shortlist of lawyers seeking to be elevated to the rank of SAN.

Prof Bene Daudu reportedly had to quit former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Advisory Committee on Corruption because of serious issues with exam Malpractice at the University of Jos. This was after a PREMIUM TIMES’ exclusive story on the matter published May 21, 2016.

In a text message to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday 21 May 2016, the executive secretary of the committee, Bolaji Owasanoye, said the committee discussed the allegation against Mrs. Daudu, and she “voluntarily” stepped down from the committee until the matter is officially dealt with by the authorities of the University of Jos.

On May 4, 2016, Mrs. Dauda who was a member of the intellectual wing of Buhari’s war on corruption, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), a group made up of mainly university professors, and headed by prominent law professor, Itse Sagay, was allegedly caught cheating while writing an examination for a Master’s degree in Research and Public Policy at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the same university.

At the time, Mrs. Daudu, an associate professor of law, was the head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law of the Faculty of Law at UniJos. Although she has a doctorate in Law, the associate professor had been working towards another Masters in Research and Public Policy.

On 11 May 2021, Vanguard Newspaper reported that: “After five years, the Management of University of Jos has absolved Professor Benedicta Daudu of the institution’s Faculty of Law from wrongdoing saying the allegation of examination malpractice leveled against her was unfounded.”

But in a 14 October 2021 publication of PUNCH Newspaper, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UniJos chapter, said the professor was not absolved. This was followed by a rejoinder published on the university’s website.

The 2021 rejoinder titled: Unijos Rejoinder On Newspaper Publications By Vanguard and Guardian Newspapers said Professor Daudu was at no time absolved by the institution.

The entire report reads:

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

REJOINDER ON NEWS PUBLICATIONS TITLED “EXAM MALPRACTICE: UNIJOS CLEARS LAW PROF. 5 YEARS AFTER” PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD NEWSPAPER OF TUESDAY MAY 11, 2021 AND “UNIJOS CLEARS, REINSTATES PROFESSOR DAUDU” PUBLISHED IN THE GUARDIAN OF SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021.

The attention of Management of the University of Jos has been drawn to a misleading report that has gone viral in the social media and was published in the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday May 11th, 2021 on page 6 captioned “Exam Malpractice: UniJos clears Law Prof. 5 years after” and the Guardian of Sunday, May 16th, 2021 captioned “UniJos Clears, Reinstates Prof. Daudu”.

The reports carried a distorted account of a matter that transpired between the University of Jos and one of its former employees, Dr (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu, formerly of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law which the University had amicably settled out of Court. Management wishes to state categorically that the information contained in the said publications are false, baseless and very likely, a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the issues with the intent of embarrassing the University.

The University vehemently dissociates itself from statements from the said publications claiming that Dr (Mrs.) Daudu had been absolved of the allegations of Examination Misconduct earlier preferred against her by the University.

Had the Reporters exercised greater diligence in gathering their information, they would have discovered that the claim that “After five years, the Management of the University of Jos has absolved Professor Benedicta Daudu of the institution’s Faculty of Law from wrongdoing saying the allegation of examination malpractice levelled against her was unfounded” is a complete misrepresentation of the facts of the matter. Indeed, the premise on which the entire report is based is patently deceptive and appears to have been done purposely with the intent of misleading members of the public regarding what had actually happened.

The Reporters, contrary to the ethics of professional journalism, chose to base their entire reports on a document purportedly emanating from the office of the University Registrar, Chief Monday Danjem without the courtesy of giving him an opportunity to respond.  Furthermore, whereas there are a number of other documents that contain additional facts on the matter, it appears they either did not want to further interrogate those available facts, or may have kept the full picture from the knowledge of their Editors for reasons best known to them. Whatever their reasons for writing such a one-sided and obviously misleading report, the University wishes to state as follows:

That Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Daudu, formerly of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, University of Jos enrolled for a Master’s Degree Programme in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) in the 2014/2015 Academic Session, in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences. It was alleged that Dr. Daudu had brought in foreign unauthorized material into the Examination hall which constitutes an act of serious examination misconduct in line with Section 3 of the University of Jos Students’ Handbook. She appeared before the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee and accepted committing the misconduct.

Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu was suspended as a Student for one academic session by the University Senate. She was also suspended as a member of Staff of the University. Consequently, the matter was referred to the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee for further investigation. However, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu filed a matter against the University challenging the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against her in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja. As a result, the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee could not proceed with its investigations until the final determination of the matter in Court. Judgment was delivered on the 17th October, 2019 in favour of the University.

After the Judgment was delivered, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu was invited to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee for her involvement in examination misconduct as a Staff of the University. Instead of honouring the said invitation, she tendered her resignation of Appointment as a Staff of the University dated the 28th November, 2019 and filed another Suit in the same NICN challenging the University’s Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee’s powers to invite her to appear before it, having resigned her appointment. The Court delivered its Ruling in favour of Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu, declaring that, having resigned her appointment as a Staff of the University, the University can no longer subject her to its disciplinary procedures.

Meanwhile, being dissatisfied with the initial Judgment of the NICN Abuja, which upheld her suspension as Staff of the University for Examination Misconduct, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu appealed against the said Judgment delivered in favour of the University. While her Appeal was still pending, both the University and Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu decided to explore the option of settlement. Consequent upon which Terms of Settlement were drawn up among which it was agreed that;

1. The University accepts Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu’s resignation and withdraws the Letter of Invitation directing her to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee
2. The University will allow Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu to return to the University as a Student (not as a Staff). This is having served her punishment of suspension for one Academic Session for Examination Misconduct.
3. Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu undertook not to pursue the Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal against the Judgment delivered in favour of the University by the National Industrial Court, Abuja.
4. The University agreed to pay Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu all her withheld half salaries that accrued to her while serving her suspension as a Staff.

The Terms of Settlement was agreed upon and executed by both Parties and their Counsel and filed in Court while awaiting the Court to adopt same as its Consent Judgment. Find attached a copy of her Resignation Letter, Certified True Copy of NICN Judgement and the Terms of Settlement between both parties.

From the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, Dr (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu was never absolved of wrongdoing regarding the allegation of Examination Misconduct, an allegation which she never challenged in Court and for which she served a period of Suspension as a Student. As the facts would bear out, Dr (Mrs) Daudu only challenged her suspension as a Staff and the invitation to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee as a Staff.

Again, there was never a time that the University apologized to Dr (Mrs) Daudu for lawful steps it had taken following her act of serious Examination Misconduct. It is worth noting that Dr (Mrs) Daudu was free to return as a Student of the University’s Master’s Degree Programme in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) having served her Suspension for Two (2) Semesters. Any claims that she was reinstated as a Staff is untrue since she had voluntarily tendered her resignation from the University. This fact was properly captured in the Terms of Settlement between both parties.

In light of the above, the University demands as follows:

1. The Vanguard and Guardian Newspapers should also as a matter of urgency publish this rejoinder in response to their Newspaper Publication of Tuesday, May 11, 2021 and Sunday May 16, 2021 respectively.

Thank you.

Chief Monday M. Danjem

Registrar

Angered by the nominations, a number of rights activists who shared information with Law & Society wondered why the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) did not spare itself this manner of embarrassment by conducting a thorough investigation on an applicant before making the list public.

The embattled Professor of Law, Cyril Osim Ndifon on Tuesday allegedly threatened to unleash his dogs on the University of Calabar (UniCal) personnel sent to serve him a fresh invitation to attend the panel’s hearing.

Following his refusal to honour the panel’s invitation on Tuesday, the hearing was extended to Thursday (today) to enable him make his presentation. But eyewitnesses report that when an attempt was made to serve him a fresh invitation notice at his residence, his security guard refused to allow the messengers in.

On insisting that it was important for the Professor to receive the invitation notice, the guards announced they would unleash dogs. Sources close to the Professor claim that the former Dean who is smarting badly over the allegations instructed his security guards to unleash his dogs should any attempt be made to enter his compound and serve any document on him from the university.

On account of this, the university decided on substituted service through the university radio.

The announcement captured by Law & Society said:

“Unical 103.5.  A Public announcement from the University of Calabar Panel to Investigate Alleged Misconduct and Abuse of Office.

“Prof Osim Ndifon of the Faculty of Law of the UniCal. Invitation to interact with the above panel

“Following your refusal to appear before the above panel today the 12th of September 2023, you are hereby invited again for interaction with the above panel to give your response to the issues related to the allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of office leveled against you.

“The sitting of the panel has been scheduled as follows:

“Date Thursday 14 September 2023. Time 10 am prompt. Venue University of Calabar Council Chambers.

“This invitation offers you the opportunity to make your submission, case, before the fact-finding panel which is in consonance with the standard administrative practice and in keeping with the extant rules and regulations of the University of Calabar.

“This is signed by Barr. Gabriel O. Oriok. Secretary.”

Listen to the radio broadcast below.

As a sequel to grave concerns raised in many quarters about the response of the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, to allegations of sexual harassment by Ndifon, a female lawyer, Uruegi Anne Agi, has queried how the Minister who is also a lawyer does not know what sexual harassment is.

“Female students of the university have bravely come forward, alleging that the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, sexually assaulted them, amidst other administrative complaints.

“They allege that the suspended professor forcefully kissed them against their will in his office, fondled their breasts, and even thrust his hands into one student’s skirt! Allegations of this kind have been made against this same Professor for years unending! In 2015, the allegation was rape!

“These shocking allegations led to the suspension of Prof. Ndifon and the setting up of an investigation panel. However, rather than ensuring justice for the alleged victims, Minister Uju Ohanenye has been captured on tape threatening and intimidating at least 3 of the female law students who accused Prof. Ndifon of these acts…

“Her actions and statements have raised serious questions about her ability to fulfill her role as Minister of Women Affairs, an office that is meant to protect and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of women and girls. It is deeply troubling that she appears to be siding with the alleged accused rather than supporting the alleged victims.”

BarristerNG had reported that in the unending revelations emerging from the University of Calabar, where the embattled Dean of the Faculty of Law is standing investigation, BarristerNG has obtained the day-to-day testimonies and activities surrounding the sexual harassment probe of Prof. Ndifon.

Below is the report of proceedings for the 5th day of September 2023

LAWSAN President Obi Benedict Confirmed that all his claims against the Suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon are true. He further affirmed that he led the protest “We met as and agreed to protest, nobody was cajoled or forced to protest. If the Dean alleges that students were cajoled or forced, let him come out and prove it.”

Benedict said a student— Victor Bissong, who earlier did a disclaimer against the protest by the law students, has withdrawn the apology saying he was under threat by the Suspended Dean to write the disclaimer. He said LLB 2A and B students paid N500 each to get Matriculation number. He also said the Suspended Dean collected monies from students for Law Journals that were never distributed to law students in the faculty.

2. Tabor Patricia, Speaker of Lawsan parliament UNICAL, alleged that students from the faculty were forced to pay various levies to the faculty leadership under the suspended Dean Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon for 3 years; journals were not given, neither does the money refunded to law students.

3. Victim A also testified against the Suspended Dean Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon. She also testified that the Defendant had harassed her sexually at his office in UNICAL.

4. Victim B, a 300-level law student Testified that the Defendant, Cyril Osim Ndifon harassed her also sexually in his office twice after voluntarily offering to help them get higher grades.

5. Victim C, a 400 level student testified that students from the faculty of law were defrauded via the payment of illegal dues like N500 for Lawsan Students Union Dues, N1000 for matriculation numbers and for Fee Clearance to the faculty leadership under the watch of the suspended Dean, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon.

6. Victim D testified also that, he paid N500 for matriculation numbers.

7. Victim E testified that, she is a victim of illegal levies like N2,00, for clearance, N1,700 for Law Journal which she has paid on three occasions (3 years) for the faculty law journal without being given the said journal.

8. Victim F, a student of the faculty also testified that, she and her friend were enticed to give their registration numbers and names with a promise to be awarded higher grades, by the suspended Dean of faculty.

9. Barr. Mrs. Antonia Kalu (female) based in Canada formerly (Ukra Umukoro Anthonia) admitted into the Faculty of Law University of Calabar in 2001, was supposed to graduate in 2006 but was delayed by the suspended Dean, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon. She said she was made to spend two extra years in school before graduating.

10 Another victim, testified that the suspended Dean, Prof. Cyril Osim attempted to force her into Oral Sex in his office and also several other sexual attempts but she was fortunate to escape.

11. Barr. Jama Owubuariri graduated from UNICAL in 2006. He said the suspended Dean of faculty, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon robbed him of his scores during his undergraduate days in 2002 at the University of Calabar.

Day 2, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2023.

The panel continued with a focus on the Academic and non-academic Staff in the faculty of law. From the facts obtained from the interrogations hereunder in the UNICAL panel of Investigation, some Staff of the faculty of law and its management are seen to be complicit in this whole issue. However, those interrogated include the following:

1. Prof. Mike Okorm, Former Dean of the Faculty of Law Affirmed the allegations against the former or Suspended Dean of the Faculty of law. He affirmed the allegations against the faculty about students’ payment for the faculty law journal. He said that there have been several complaints from the survivors.

2. Another Victim, aged 23, a female student, is a prime witness against professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, she testified that she was molested, threatened, raped, forced into oral sex, and cheated by the Defendant, Cyril Osim Ndifon, inside the defendants’s office.

3. Dr. Rose Ugbe, Acting Dean of the faculty of law, Testified that the suspended Dean ran the faculty based on loyalty… “If you are not his loyalist, he will have nothing to do with you.” The acting Dean also said, 148 Law students were transmitted into the law school without due process, under the leadership of Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon.

4. Prof. Dada, a member of the University Senate Business Committee, a former Dean, and a senior member of the academic Staff in the faculty of law. He said he has noted over time several complaints and anomalies in the faculty of law including harassment. Prof. Dada is indifferent due to according to him “threats by some persons in the institution, and false accusations”. He said people threatened to “deal with him”, so he decided to mind his business and his job, he told the panel that he “refused to complain about any issues in the faculty”, due to these issues despite several complaints.

5. Prof. Ibanga is a professor who has been with the faculty for 33 years. He is the Chairman of the committee set up by the school to enquire into the mobilization of students into the Law school. He is indifferent. He said some students sent by the faculty management were qualified and they did so without due process. He said Staff had been complaining of poor handling of results in the faculty by the management severally. He said his indifference is due to the attitude of staff members in the faculty.

6. Dr. Mike Otu, is a senior staff and former Head of department in law faculty. He admitted to complaints from staff and students in the faculty under the leadership of the suspected dean. He said he had warned the faculty members and management over the complaints but, there weren’t any solutions. He said most of the indifferent staff members are guilty of allegations made against the faculty and the management.

7. Associate Professor Edem Essien, Chairman of the Post Graduate Committee in the faculty. He explained that the Committee’s account was kept from the committee and was held by the suspended dean Professor Osim Ndifon, at the expense of the Post Graduate Committee. He said that the staff had been quarreling over certain issues or abnormalities in the faculty of law.

8. Barrister Amarachi is a lecturer in the faculty of law. She testified that she too is a victim of attempted oral sex, virginal sex, and general sexual harassment and assault from the suspended Dean of that faculty, Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon. She affirmed that the defendant is guilty of the allegations.

9. Mr. Robert Omang, is the the former faculty officer, who served during the administration of the Suspended Dean Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon. He called that the Dean permitted him to collect unapproved monies from students (numbering over 1,000 students) and that the faculty has not distributed any journals to the students for 3 years and the students have paid (N1,700) each.

10. Ann Agi, a lecturer in the faculty testified that Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon denied her an opportunity to defend her Post Graduate Program after spending 5 years. She also alleged intimidation by the defendant on her and her colleagues.

11. Dr Alex Abang Ebu, a Head of department in the faculty. He said the dean is guilty of abuse of office; he said he divided the faculty, between junior and senior lecturers. He said the suspended dean did not recognize Heads of Department as HODs had no schedule or offices.

12. Barrister Linda Iheanacho, is a lecturer in the department. She said she was asked by the Suspended Dean to co-supervise students with him, but she declined, as against the various allegations that she made. She said she is not a member of any of the factions in the faculty. She accused female students of playing around with lecturers in the faculty of law; however, she said she was warned by some female students to mind her business in an attempt to caution them against going too close to male lecturers.

13. Dr Lawrence Edu, is a lecturer in the faculty of law. He is one of those who were close to the suspended Dean. He said the dean did not seek his consent before adding him as an assistant editor to the faculty Law Journal. He said he hasn’t received any complaints from students.

14. Ncha Ogbeche, a lecturer in the faculty. Denied allegations of harassing any student in the faculty of law. Ncha who broke into tears said he is wrongly accused. He admitted that two students wrote exams in his office but that it wasn’t a hidden affair, as he shares an office with other colleague lecturers, who were present during the exams.

15. Mr Njong Cleverty. He introduced himself as a tutorial lecturer in the faculty. He alleged that he is uncomfortable the way female students visit male lecturers after 4pm on working days. He spoke in dismissal of his alleged involvement in the numerous allegations against him by students and some members of staff.

16. Comfort Jumbo, she is a recent graduate from the faculty but she can’t proceed to law school due to refusal of the management of the faculty of law to upload her results, after her refusal to meet with Prof. Cyril Ndifon at an undisclosed Hotel in Calabar by 4 o’clock during the period .

The panel closed sitting at about 6:55 pm on Thursday. The chairman Professor Dorathy Oluwagbemi Jacob, thanked the members and observers for their patience and efforts. She said the Panel will continue Tuesday September 12, 2023; on the said date, the suspended dean (defendant) shall appear before the panel to defend all the allegations leveled against him, after which the panel will analyze it’s findings and make recommendations in accordance with relevant law.

Additional reports from BarristerNG.com

A 32-year-old nursing mother, Ann Akpa has been remanded by a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state for allegedly assaulting a Magistrate.

Mrs Akpan Ann was arraigned by the police for allegedly flogging Magistrate Lilian Igwesi with a stick on the 28th day of August 2023 at number 32 Hill Top Road, Abakaliki.

The defendant in the two-count charge suit marked MAB /630c/2023 was also accused of causing a breach of peace by pouring dirt inside the Magistrate’s apartment.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze, held that she committed offences punishable under sections 335 and 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 2009.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of assault and causing breach of peace while Eze E. Eze held a watching brief.

A. J. Uguru, Esq., who appeared for the defence, applied for bail for the defendant in the most liberal terms, citing that the offence was a bailable one.

Since bail is normally at the discretion of the trial Magistrate, Magistrate Lynda Ogodo declared her bail reserved, ordered her remand in Nigeria Correctional Centre Abakaliki, and adjourned the reserved bail to the 27th day of September 2023.

The charge said “That you Akpa Ann aged 32 years old on the 28th day of August 2023 at No 32 Hilltop Road Abakaliki under the jurisdiction of this honourable court did unlawfully assault one Mrs Igwesi Lilian by flogging her with a stick at her left-hand side which caused her harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 335 of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 law of Ebonyi state of Nigeria 2009

“That you, Ann Akpa, on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by pouring dirt inside one Mrs Igwesi Lilian’s flat and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 249(d) of the criminal code, Cap. 33, Volume 1, Laws of the Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”

Credit: The Metro Lawyer