The trial of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, UNICAL, drew representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, to the Federal High Court in Abuja. The courtroom, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, saw Linda Bala leading the NBA delegation, while Amina Agbaje, the Country Vice President of FIDA, led a team of lawyers from their respective associations.
The case involves allegations of sexual harassment and obstruction of investigation, with Ndifon and Sunny Anyanwu facing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. Anyanwu, also a lawyer in the defense, was implicated in the amended charge for allegedly threatening a prosecution witness during the pendency of the case against Ndifon.
Following an order by Justice Omotosho, both defendants were remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications. Upon the resumed hearing, Wilberforce Otuagona, SAN, appeared for Prof. Ndifon and Anyanwu, requesting the court to hear their bail application before the trial continuation. However, the judge insisted on proceeding with the trial first to ensure the protection of the witness allegedly threatened by Anyanwu.
Justice Omotosho explained that despite his earlier decision to hear the bail plea first, he decided to overrule himself in favor of taking the trial forward as requested by the defense counsel, Solomon Umoh, who was also present in court. He also highlighted his background as a prosecutor for 18 years before joining the bench.
