By Amaechi Agbo and Agency Report

The suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, (UNICAL) Professor Cyril Ndifon has been ordered to be remanded in the Abuja Kuje Prison over alleged sexual assaults.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Ndifon in court on four counts of alleged sexual misconduct against some of his students.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered that Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), be remanded at the Kuje Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the conclusion of his bail application.

According to the Commission’s Spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, in a statement said, “The Professor of Law however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.”

Counsel to the defendant, Okon Efut had prayed that the defendant be granted bail as the application for that had been filed on his behalf on January 2nd, 2024.

However, counsel to the ICPC, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha opposed the bail application on the ground that one of the lawyers representing the defendant, Barrister Sunny Anyanwu had allegedly threatened one of the star witnesses ICPC lined up for the trial.

In his defence, Barrister Anyanwu, who had earlier argued that the name of the said witness was not listed in the charges read, later told the court that it was the “witness” that called him.

Justice Omotosho however directed Barrister Anyanwu to file his affidavit of fact within 48 hours over the threat allegation of ICPC witness leveled against him.

He also ruled that the defendant, Professor Cyril Ndifon, be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date of hearing

Mr Ndifon, a professor of law, was indicted by an investigating panel set up by the University of Calabar after several female students accused him of sexual harassment.

The State Security Service (SSS) afterward arrested him in October and handed him over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.

The ICPC, on 2 November, preferred a 14-count charge against Mr Ndifon, after investigations which was later amended to four.