Minister Entangled In UNICAL Sexual Harassment Scandal

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, has found herself embroiled in controversy following accusations of interference in the sexual harassment scandal involving the suspended dean of the University of Calabar’s (UNICAL) law faculty, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

In August, a wave of protests rocked UNICAL as primarily female students of the law faculty accused Prof. Ndifon of persistent sexual harassment. Subsequently, the university suspended Prof. Ndifon and convened a panel to investigate the allegations.

However, reports suggest that Prof. Ndifon may be attempting to avoid accountability by seeking the support of Minister Uju Kennedy to intimidate the victims and derail the panel’s proceedings.

Following a two-day sitting by the probe panel set up by the university authorities, no less than six current and former students of the university as well as a UNICAL lecturer have testified that Ndifon sexually harassed them. Twenty-seven witnesses including students and lecturers have appeared before the probe panel, nearly all accusing Ndifon of sexual harassment, marginalization or financial misfeasance. The panel has invited the embattled Law teacher to testify at 10 o’clock today.

Ohanenye told press that the First Lady has ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations, adding that she has also assigned her Special Adviser on Women Affairs to follow through on the matter.

The Women Affairs Minister said she is however being “scandalized” due to her commitment to get to the root of the matter. She stated that her quest to thorughly investigate the matter was being misconstrued, adding: “How can I want the man to go free if he has committed such hideous crime” I only want the truth to prevail especially after hearing from the 3 girls that the VC sent me their numbers.

“I equally sent an official memo to acknowledge the extra one week the VC said they would (need to) round up the investigation and told her to please go on and send the report to me, Minister of Education and to the SA to First Lady on Women.

“I can never as a mother support evil on innocent children, and will take a drastic action if the man is found guilty. Let the truth prevail and let justice be done to put an end to this menace.”

Though Ohanenye told press that she had also spoken with Ndifon who vowed that there are no specific sexual harassment complaints against him,

Meanwhile, the UNICAL Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has told pressthat the mandate of the panel remains intact. She stated that she rebuffed the minister’s directive to hands-off the probe, noting that the mandate of the panel goes beyond sexual harassment.

She said that she has approved a two-week extension requested by the panel to conclude its probe, adding: “I told the Honourable Minister that I would send her a comprehensive report. But she cannot give me a deadline to submit the report. The mandate of the panel encompasses both sexual harassment and other academic issues as raised by the protesting students. It is an internal issue of the university. When the panel submits its report, I will submit it to my supervisors. I know the Honourable Minister is interested in the sexual harassment aspect; I will present that aspect of the report to her. We have not foreclosed any aspect of the investigation.”

An online petition seen by The Lawyer had accused Ohanenye of tampering with some of the witnesses, even as it urged citizens to call the minister to order.

The petition reads: “Prof. Ndifon saga, Faculty of Law UNICAL: +234 803 801 xxxx. Please let’s feel free to generously call Uju Kennedy, Nigeria’s Minister of women affairs and ask her why she’s interfering in an ongoing panel of investigation to investigate sexual harassment and violation of UNICAL regulations.

“She’s calling young students who testified, intimidating them and offering favours in exchange for SILENCE.”

In an audio tape made available to The Lawyer, the Women Affairs Minister was alleged to have told a survivor that “If your VC makes you go and lie against somebody you will go to jail. Trust me, I personally will put you in jail. I want you to be very careful because your future is at stake.”