A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday declined to hear the bail applications of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), and his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu.
Justice James Omotosho stated that the bail applications would be considered after the testimony of the key witness, identified only as TKJ, to protect her during the trial.
The decision came after the defense counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, requested that his clients’ bail plea be heard immediately after an investigator from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Lucy-Ogechi Chima, had completed her testimony.
“I must take the statement of the victim witness first before considering bail for the defendants to prevent any interference. Even if bail is granted, there is a possibility they might not meet the conditions. However, I would prefer an accelerated hearing of the case so we can conclude it within seven days,” Justice Omotosho explained.
The judge then adjourned the case until Thursday for the continuation of the trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ndifon was re-arraigned alongside Anyanwu on Jan. 25 on an amended four-count charge of alleged sexual harassment and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Anyanwu, one of the defense lawyers, was implicated in the amended charge filed on Jan. 22 by the ICPC for allegedly threatening one of the prosecution witnesses by phone during the ongoing case against Ndifon.
Representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) attended the court session to observe proceedings on behalf of their associations.
Additionally, women’s groups such as the Nigerian League of Women Voters and Womanifesto sent representatives.
Before addressing this case, Justice Omotosho briefly adjourned to clear other scheduled cases for the day.
Upon reconvening, he cautioned journalists against publishing the name or photograph of the key witness, who had allegedly been threatened, to protect her identity.
“In order to maintain the dignity of the alleged victim, I hereby order that the identity of the victim shall not be disclosed. For the purposes of this trial, the victim’s name shall be referred to as TKJ,” he declared.
During her testimony, the ICPC investigator, Chima, revealed that a forensic analysis of Ndifon’s phone uncovered numerous nude pictures from various contacts, including images sent by a diploma student of the university (whose name is withheld by the court’s order). This evidence suggested that Ndifon had requested nude pictures as a form of bribe for admission into the diploma programme leading to the LLB class.
Chima also testified that Anyanwu, the second defendant, had contacted the victim witness, advising her to ignore the ICPC’s invitation.
Despite Anyanwu’s denial, forensic evidence from the call log and network provider confirmed the call, linking him to the attempt to influence the witness.
The court learned that while the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations had concluded, the inquiry into financial misappropriation against Ndifon was still ongoing.
Documents from the investigation were submitted as evidence, and the defense counsel cross-examined Chima before she was dismissed from the witness stand. The trial is set to continue on Thursday. (NAN)