Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), currently under suspension, has initiated legal proceedings against Prof. Florence Obi, the university’s vice chancellor. His legal action is rooted in allegations of character defamation and the purported orchestration of protests with the aim of ousting him from his position.
This legal dispute is documented as Suit No: NICN/CA/ 42/ 2023, with Prof. Ndifon as the claimant, and the vice-chancellor, along with three others, as defendants. Prof. Ndifon has voiced his deep discontent regarding what he perceives as an unjust tarnishing of his reputation, despite his assertion that he has committed no wrongdoing.
In an originating summons from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Calabar Judicial Division Holden in Calabar, the defendants who include UNICAL registrar, UNICAL and Prof. Dorathy Oluwagbemi-Jacob were given eight days after service of the summon on them to cause an appearance to be entered to the summon.
If the defendants do not enter appearance within the time and at the place, the summons maintained, the judge would be empowered to take the next move he considers “just and expedient”.
In Exhibit 9 emanating from an affidavit attempting to set the facts relied upon, Ndifon accused the vice chancellor of colluding with the LAWSAN president (UNICAL chapter), Obi Benedict Otu, with one of the VC’s nieces, Destiny Omokiti, to stage manage a protest against him.
“Shortly after the said protest, Mr. Obi Benedict Otu, issued a press release where he revealed that he deliberately hid his intention and real purpose of protest from innocent students who were freshers and upon their concealment of purpose, tendered a public apology, that went viral on social media,” the affidavit read.
“My right and freedom of movement to the University of Càlabar premises has been restricted and curtailed by order of the Vice Chancellor. I am gravely prejudiced on account thereof.
“To remove from office as Dean of Law Faculty without any prior vote taken at a meeting of faculty of law board for purpose constitutes a departure from the prescriptions of the University of Calabar Act,” Ndifon said.
