A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, to five years in prison. Justice James Omotosho ruled that anti-corruption investigators had successfully proven the key charges against him, leading to convictions on two counts that will run concurrently.
The court found that Ndifon abused his position by exerting improper pressure on a prospective student, conduct the judge described as a serious violation of office. While Ndifon was convicted, co-defendant Sunny Anyanwu was cleared of all charges after the court determined there was no evidence linking him to the alleged offences. The judge, however, criticized Anyanwu for what he called unprofessional behavior in contacting a potential witness.
In delivering the sentence, the court described Ndifon’s actions as disgraceful and damaging to the legal community, saying the punishment should serve as a warning to public officials who exploit their authority. The judge noted that although Ndifon is a first-time offender, the gravity of the misconduct demanded accountability.
