By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
The Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) has hailed the conviction of former Dean of Legislation on the College of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, describing it as a landmark victory for justice and a transparent sign that authority will now not protect abusers in Nigerian establishments.
A Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja discovered Ndifon responsible of offences below the Cybercrime Act and the ICPC Act, following a trial that examined each digital proof and problems with institutional accountability.
ICPC’s place was introduced at a press briefing in Abuja by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, within the presence of representatives of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA), FIDA, and a number of other civil society organisations.
Odey mentioned the decision marked a turning level in confronting abuse of authority throughout Nigeria’s establishments.
“This judgment is a declaration that the rule of legislation will penetrate the deepest recesses of energy and privilege,” he mentioned.
The court docket convicted Ndifon for inducing a feminine scholar, recognized by the pseudonym TKJ, to ship inappropriate pictures and for abusing his workplace for private benefit.
His co-accused, Barrister Sunny Anyanwu, was acquitted after the court docket discovered that allegations of witness interference lacked corroboration. Odey mentioned the break up judgment demonstrated the Fee’s adherence to due course of.
“Our dedication to the usual of proof past cheap doubt is absolute. Justice is rarely a witch-hunt,” he acknowledged.
The ICPC famous that the case uncovered how energy imbalances inside educational environments may be exploited. The court docket accepted the sufferer’s testimony as credible and brave, faulting the defendant’s conduct as a gross abuse {of professional} authority.
The Fee defined that its investigation started after scholar protests went viral in September 2023. With signed consent obtained, investigators retrieved the defendants’ telephones, and forensic evaluation of their digital communications shaped the spine of the prosecution. The court docket upheld the proof, affirming that correct acquisition and relevance stay central to admissibility.
“The center of the case was constructed on irrefutable digital proof,” Odey mentioned, including that the Fee executed a lawful arrest after the defendant declined its invitation.
Past the conviction, the ICPC mentioned the ruling sends a powerful message to survivors nationwide. The court docket’s choice to completely defend the sufferer’s identification was described as a significant step towards lowering stigma.
“To any sufferer of harassment, extortion, or abuse of workplace: come ahead. The Fee stands with you. You aren’t alone,” Odey urged.
The Fee thanked the NBA, FIDA, and companion NGOs for his or her assist within the investigation and prosecution, calling the collaboration a mannequin for future circumstances.
“The braveness of 1 sufferer, the diligence of our investigators, and the power of legislation have proven that the period of impunity is ending,” he mentioned.
Odey added that the Fee intends to increase the implications of this judgment into universities, authorities establishments, and company organisations.
“This judgment is just not the tip of a case; it’s the starting of a campaign,” he declared.
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