UNICAL Rape Case: Groups Sends Serious Warning To The University

Two civil rights organizations, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice and the Nigerian Feminist Forum, have expressed concerns over the increase in the incidence of rape by some members of the academic staff in Nigerian universities.

The group called on relevant authorities to take actions to stop the trend. They were reacting to the allegation against the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, who was accused of alleged sexual assault on a 20-year-old 400-level Law student in the institution.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Effiong Eyo, according to ANEEJ, had said the institution was seriously looking into the matter.

Ndifon has reportedly been arrested by the police but released on bail while investigation into the case continued. He was suspended by the panel instituted by the Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Ivara Esu.

The Gender Policy Officer of ANEEJ, Ms. Sandra Eguagie, said, “While we welcome the ongoing investigations by the Nigerian Police, we believe that this case must not be bungled or swept under the carpet. The suspended lecturer must be made to face the full weight of the law if found guilty.

“He must be fully prosecuted and if found guilty should be jailed and dismissed from service to serve as a deterrent to other lecturers who have formed the culture of sexually assaulting students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.”

A statement from NFF secretariat, signed by its spokesperson, Geraldyn Ezeakile, expressed dismay over what appears to be an overwhelming rise in reported cases of sexual assault and rape of female university students across university campuses in Nigeria.

The NFF said it was ready to offer its support and expertise to ASUU, the body of vice-chancellors, National Universities Commission, ministries of education and other stakeholders at federal and state levels as well as the police and other law enforcement agencies.