The sex scandal rocking the University of Calabar has taken on a legal dimension as the embattled Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, has instituted a suit against the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, and other officers at the National Industrial Court in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
But the university’s management has told the accused law professor that they would meet in court.
The law professor, who is now on suspension, said he dragged the VC and others to court to seek redress and clear his name from the smear campaign, accusing the VC of sponsoring the protest simply because she wanted him out of his position as dean and in academia.
Also joined in the suit with the VC is the university’s registrar, Prof. Dorathy Oluwagbemi-Jacob, for herself and on behalf of members of the panel investigating alleged misconduct brought against him.
In the Suit No. NICN/CA/42/2023 between Prof. Cyril Ndifon (the claimant), the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, and three others as defendants, Ndifon expressed displeasure over what he described as dragging his image into the mud even when he did nothing wrong.
In an originating summons from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Calabar Judicial Division Holden at Calabar, the defendants are to, within eight days after service of the summons on them, cause an appearance to be entered in the summons.
The summons said, “If the defendants do not make their appearance within the time and at the place mentioned, an order will be made and proceedings taken as the judge may think just and expedient.”
Reacting to the issue, the varsity’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Effiong Eyo, said, “Like you said, Prof. Ndifon has dragged the university to court. It was his faculty that brought several allegations against him to management.
“The faculty only alleged. Management set up a panel in its wisdom to oblige him to go there to state the facts or exonerate himself. Nobody has pronounced him guilty. He has rather chosen to head to court. Well, the university will be there.”
