The authorities of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), on Thursday relieved the Dean Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Idifon of his postion while sending him on. an indefinite suspension. The suspension which takes effect from August 17, according to the institution, is owing to his “alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies management of the institution.”
The suspension came days after some law students of the institution protested alleged sexual harassment against the dean.
He was suspended in 2015 for the same issue but was said to have cleared himself after a legal tussle.
A letter by the University Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, said the current suspension takes effect from August 17, 2023.
According to the letter, the suspension came on the heels of the Dean’s response to a query by the University Management which the Vice Chancellor was dissatisfied with.
The letter reads this: “Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023 on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the University and your response to the said letter which was dated 16th August, 2023.
“The Vice-Chancellor has gone through your written representations and is not satisfied with your explanations. She has therefore directed that you should be relieved of your position as Dean, Faculty of Law and placed on suspension while the matter is referred to a panel that will be set-up to investigate these allegations.
“The relief of position as Dean, Faculty of Law and suspension from official duties takes effect from August 17, 2023. You are to hand over all University property in your possession including all official responsibilities presently handled by you to the Sub-Dean of the Faculty before vacating office.
“You are to stay away from the University premises except while responding to an invitation from the panel investigating these allegations.”