By Yemi Akinsuyi
In a verdict hailed as a watershed for justice in Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, the erstwhile Dean of Law at the University of Calabar, on charges of sexual harassment. The conviction, however, marks not just the end of a trial, but the genesis of a systemic overhaul against abuse of power in academia.
The Commission’s Spokesperson, Mr. John Okor Odey, described the judgment as a declaration that “the rule of law will penetrate the deepest recesses of power and privilege; emphasising that the victory was foundational, proving that “evidence-based prosecution can and will succeed” in holding powerful individuals accountable, regardless of their status.
The case, which began in 2023, was a marathon of legal endurance.
Deputy Director, ICPC, Ebenezer Shogunle revealed that the convict made multiple attempts to stall the process, all of which were unsuccessful.
“The ICPC’s persistence was matched by its methodical, forensic approach. Lead Prosecutor, Dr. Osubeni Akponiminsingha, detailed the critical sequence that secured admissible evidence: obtaining Ndifon’s consent to access his phone, followed by a meticulously documented chain of custody.
“ICPC forensic expert, Mr. Bwaigu Fungo, then uncovered a damning pattern, with evidence showing the convict repeatedly requesting “personal, intimate” videos from students and admission seekers over 17 times.
“A pivotal finding from the investigation was the glaring absence of internal mechanisms in tertiary institutions to prevent and address sexual harassment. This systemic failure prompted the ICPC to look beyond the courtroom.
“In collaboration with the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), the Commission developed a comprehensive sexual harassment policy. Ms. Omowunmi Ogunrotimi of GMI explained that the policy explicitly defines harassment and addresses emerging forms, including the exchange of nude images, a central element in Ndifon’s case.
“In a strategic move to bolster public awareness and trust, the ICPC also briefed a delegation of media executives on the intricacies of the case. One executive, Mr. Adefolarin Adeniran of the National Media Group, commended the Commission’s transparency.
“The ICPC’s decision to engage media leaders is as strategic as the investigation itself. It demystifies the judicial process and empowers the press to accurately report on complex legal and forensic matters. This partnership is vital for public trust; it ensures that landmark victories like this are not just legal footnotes, but become catalysts for national conversation and change,” Adeniran stated.
“This partnership is now driving a nationwide reform, with GMI currently supporting 354 higher institutions in domesticating this policy. The ICPC’s victory against Prof. Ndifon thus stands as a dual triumph: a legal landmark achieved through forensic rigor, and a catalytic force building a new architecture of accountability and safety within Nigeria’s halls of learning”, he stated.
