The Nigerian Bar Association has set up a committee to investigate the allegations of sexual assault against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar.
In a statement by Akorede Habeeb Lawal, it’s National Publicity Secretary on Saturday, the NBA said it’s committed to maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
NBA called on lawyers to be of best conduct wherever they find themselves, adding that it’s leadership will not relent in ridding the profession of the very few bad eggs.
Background
Recall last week Monday, students of the Faculty of law stormed the office of the Vice Chancellor protesting alledged sexual assault by professor Ndifon who happens to be the faculty’s dean.
The students who were mostly females held placards with various inscription which include, “We are tired of lecturers not attending classes”, “Law girls are not your bonanza, Prof. Ndifon should stop grabbing us, Ndifon must go for our sanity” and others.
Following the protest , the management of the university suspended him effective from August 17.
NBA’s statement
Reacting to the alleged sexual assault, NBA said it has establish an ad-hoc committee to conduct an investigation into the allegation against Prof. Ndifon.
Part of the statement reads “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to investigate the allegations of sexual assault against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.
“This decision was reached by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA at her recent monthly meeting presided over by the NBA President, Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON SAN and which had all National Officers of the association in attendance.
“The NBA NEC subsequently empanelled an ad-hoc committee comprising the 1st Vice President of the NBA, Mrs Linda Rose Bala, the Assistant General Secretary of
the NBA, Mr Daniel Kip, Chairperson of NBA Women’s Forum and the Chairman of the NBA Calabar Branch, to investigate the allegations against the University Don.
The body also said it will investigate media reports of the attempted bribe of Justice Flora Azinge by a senior lawyer.
The body said “You may also be l aware of the recent media report of the attempted bribe of Justice Flora Azinge of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano.
“The NBA has, by a letter dated 16th August 2023, formally requested his lordship to avail the NBA of further details in this regard to enable investigation into this allegation.
“While it is important to underscore the fact that none of the lawyers petitioned or being investigated is deemed guilty of professional misconduct until the LPDC hands down its decisions after fair trial, the NBA President has emphasised the need for lawyers to continue to be of best conduct wherever they find themselves, and he reiterated that the present NBA leadership will not relent in ridding the profession of the very few bad eggs that may be found.”
