Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, who has been accused of sexually harassing students, has offered his response to the allegations.
The incident stemmed from online videos where protesting students held placards bearing messages such as “We are tired of sucking big love,” “Professor Ndifon, let the girls with big breasts breathe. Stop suffocating us,” and “Enough of law school list manipulation.”
In his reaction, Prof. Ndifon refuted the accusations, suggesting that the students have concocted falsehoods to tarnish his reputation. He went further to assert that the protest had been orchestrated by fellow lecturers with intentions to undermine his position as the dean of the law faculty.
Ndifon stated, “Since my election as the dean, which was contested fervently, I have encountered various challenges. I’ve navigated numerous obstacles. These allegations are unfounded and are being manipulated by my adversary, who is determined to besmirch my standing due to my consecutive victories in the faculty elections.”
He questioned the authenticity of the placards, pointing out the uniformity in handwriting. He also raised suspicions about the protesters’ awareness of a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, suggesting an inside involvement.
“We were scheduled to confer with the Vice Chancellor to address pertinent faculty issues. While the meeting was underway, we were informed that certain students were outside with placards, demanding my removal and protesting against me.”
“According to my sources, Benedict Otu, the LAWSAN President, coerced some students by misleading them about a meeting with the Vice Chancellor. Subsequently, they were handed placards containing misleading statements about me. Otu then directed his colleagues to chant derogatory slogans against me.”
Prof. Ndifon emphasized his resolve against such tactics: “This strategy will not succeed. Some colleagues of mine are resolute in their pursuit to tarnish my reputation in an attempt to bring me down. The pivotal question remains: Where are the alleged victims of sexual harassment?”
He challenged the possibility of harassment transpiring without the purported victims raising alarms: “Can someone harass girls without them stepping forward to report the alleged sexual harassment?”