• NBA ACCUSES OHANENYE OF ‘MINISTERIAL FAILING’

The Minister of Women Affairs, Bar. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has warned that she would “jail” anyone who engages in perjury in the ongoing investigation of suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

In a statement she made available to CITY LAWYER, the minister “insisted on the need for justice to be vigorously pursued towards resolving the on-going sex scandal at the University of Calabar.”

According to the minister who had come under a barrage of criticisms from activists for allegedly dissuading some of the alleged sexual harassment victims from testifying, “Whoever that lies on the Calabar sexual case will go to jail. I will personally sue the person and jail he or she, whether the Vice Chancellor, Professor or the alleged victim.”

The statement was accompanied by a video where the minister restated her resolve not to spare anyone who gives false testimony at the hearing.

Ohanenye had told CITY LAWYER in an earlier interview that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has waded into the matter, vowing that justice must be done.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has urged Ohanenye to refrain from alleged tampering with witnesses in the matter, saying: “SPIDEL vehemently condemns this blatant abuse of power by Minister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye which has culminated in the harassment and exploitation of young law students at the institution. We view this not just as a simple Ministerial failing, but recognize it as an issue of professional misconduct and a reflection of broader societal challenges that must be addressed promptly and effectively.

“SPIDEL calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into these allegations and insists on accountability, transparency, and appropriate action to address this deeply concerning matter. We stress that the reputation of the legal community, the rights of the victims, all other students, and the integrity of the investigative panel are at stake.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins and Ms. Funmi Adeogun, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, the body urged the University of Calabar, the Nigerian Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) “to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into these allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of office so that the matter will be settled once and for all.”

It noted that the allegations against Ndifon “not only compromise the integrity of legal education but also infringe upon the rights and well-being of the affected individuals. SPIDEL states that it is disheartening that allegations of this nature have persisted against Prof. Ndifon for years.”

The NBA-SPIDEL “empathizes with the students who have shown immense bravery in coming forward to share their experiences and calls for their protection and support throughout this process. We also urge the University of Calabar to stay focused on conducting a fair and transparent investigation, ensuring that all parties involved have the opportunity to be heard.”

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