Nigeria’s University of Calabar has suspended a high-ranking professor after a protest by female students accused him of sexual harassment.
On Monday, around 30 female students demonstrated on campus, which is in the southern state of Cross River, holding up placards detailing graphic accusations against the academic.
Cyril Ndifon did not respond to BBC messages but he has been quoted by some local newspapers as denying the allegations.
“This won’t work. Colleagues of mine who are bent on tarnishing my reputation just to destroy me. The question is, ‘Where are the victims of sexual harassment?’” he told CrossRiverWatch news site.
Dr Tony Eyang, the dean of students’ affairs at the university, told the BBC investigations began after the protest on Monday, which he said had taken the authorities by surprise.
Unsatisfied with a written response from Prof Ndifon, the university’s vice-chancellor has now removed him from his post as dean of the faculty of law and also suspended him.
The matter has also been referred to an official investigative panel.
Protests against sexual harassment are rare on Nigerian university campuses. One placard on Monday read: “Stop grabbing us. The faculty of law is not a brothel.”
Last year, parliament passed a bill that criminalises sexual harassment by lecturers, with offenders facing up to 14 years in jail.
It also does not allow mutual consent as a defence in the prosecution of sexual harassment cases at universities.
The legislation came after a BBC investigation in 2019 that uncovered alleged sexual misconduct by lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana.
Latest Stories
-
Akufo-Addo’s tenure has left Cocoa communities poorer, says Joyce Bawah
12 mins -
Suspension of Foreign Exchange Licence does not affect normal banking operations – CBG
26 mins -
Over 1K SMEs assessed for technical support to export in short and medium terms – GEPA
52 mins -
Lydia Alhassan confident of retaining Ayawaso West Wuogon seat
54 mins -
STEM, TVET to boost entrepreneurship and self-reliance in Zongo communities
55 mins -
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences inducts new fellows
56 mins -
‘For our future, choose peace’ – Pupils advocate peaceful elections
56 mins -
Ongoing operation to safeguard border will not restrict voting rights – GIS Volta
1 hour -
Bosomtwe will see massive upgrade under my presidency – Bawumia
1 hour -
Mahama blames NPP for collapse of PBC
1 hour -
GHS suggests bringing back COVID-19 protocols to combat Cholera spread
1 hour -
Nursing and Midwife trainees threaten to vote against NPP over unpaid allowances
1 hour -
Merging struggling entities won’t fix energy sector, timing is crucial – IES boss
2 hours -
AGI promotes socioeconomic growth by nurturing small and micro enterprises
2 hours -
Party leaders urged to encourage supporters to desist from violent acts
2 hours