Gom Mirian
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, in the sexual harassment and gratification case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The bail was set at N250 million, with stringent conditions including the submission of bank statements and the production of two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of 150 million.
The court also granted bail to Ndifon’s lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, for N50 million, with similar conditions.
The defendants are required to file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, express readiness to attend trial, and not cause delay.
The defence counsel Joe Agi and Solomon Umoh, had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, while the prosecution counsel countered the bail application, asking the court to dismiss it.
Ruling on the bail, Justice Omotosho held that while bail is a constitutional right, the court must be guided by the nature of the charge and the possibility of the accused person interfering with the case against him.
The case has been adjourned to February 12 for continuation of the hearing.
This comes after Professor Ndifon and Sunny Anyanwu were re-arraigned on an amended four-count charge of sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.
Anyanwu was joined in the amended charge on the allegation that he called one of the prosecution witnesses during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.
