After Ndifon Verdict, ICPC Leads Nationwide Campus Reform Effort

After Ndifon Verdict, ICPC Leads Nationwide Campus Reform Effort

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said that its successful prosecution of former University of Calabar Law Dean, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, marks the beginning of a sweeping reform aimed at strengthening safeguards against sexual harassment across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, described the conviction as a landmark that demonstrates that “the rule of law will penetrate the deepest recesses of power and privilege,” stressing that the victory proved “evidence-based prosecution can and will succeed” in holding powerful individuals accountable.

Prof. Ndifon, who was tried on charges of sexual harassment, was convicted after a lengthy legal process that began in 2023.

The Commission noted that despite several attempts by the defendant to frustrate the proceedings, the case progressed due to what Deputy Director Ebenezer Shogunle called ICPC’s “methodical persistence.”

According to Lead Prosecutor, Dr. Osubeni Akponiminsingha, the breakthrough hinged on a carefully executed forensic process. Investigators obtained Ndifon’s consent to access his phone and maintained a meticulous chain of custody. This allowed ICPC forensic specialist, Mr. Bwaigu Fungo, to uncover extensive digital evidence showing that the former dean had requested “personal, intimate” videos from students and admission seekers on more than 17 occasions.

Beyond securing a conviction, the Commission said the investigation exposed a structural void in tertiary institutions, many of which lack effective systems for preventing and addressing sexual harassment. This gap, the ICPC warned, has created conditions that enable perpetrators to thrive unchecked.

To close these gaps, the Commission has partnered with the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) to develop a comprehensive sexual harassment policy for higher institutions. Executive Director of GMI, Ms. Omowunmi Ogunrotimi, said the policy clearly defines harassment and addresses emerging offences, including coerced exchange of nude images, a central feature of the Ndifon case.

As part of efforts to build public trust and deepen understanding of the case, the ICPC also briefed a delegation of media executives. One of them, Mr. Adefolarin Adeniran of the National Media Group, commended the collaboration, stating that the Commission’s transparency “demystifies the judicial process and empowers the press to accurately report on complex legal and forensic matters.” He said the partnership was essential for shaping informed national conversations on accountability.

The ICPC said these engagements form part of a broader reform movement now underway nationwide. According to GMI, 354 higher institutions are currently being supported to adopt and domesticate the new policy framework.

The Commission said the conviction of Prof. Ndifon signifies more than a courtroom victory. It represents a foundational step toward reshaping institutional culture, strengthening protective systems for students, and reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to justice within its learning environments.