Court Grants Suspended UNICAL Dean, Lawyer Bail

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

His lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, who was arraigned with him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, was also granted bail.

The professor and his lawyer are currently standing trial on amended four counts of alleged sexual harassment and an attempt to perverse the cause of justice.

While Ndifon was granted bail in the sum of N250m with two sureties, Anyanwu was granted N50m bail with two sureties as well.

The court had on January 8 remanded the professor on the day he was arraigned.

Ndifon was then granted a temporary bail on January 10 to enable him to undergo eye surgery.

Anyanwu was joined in the amended charge filed by the ICPC on January 22 over an allegation by the prosecution counsel that he threatened the star witness of the commission on the phone while trial had commenced on the matter.

At the proceedings on January 26, the trial judge James Omotoso ordered the remand of Anyanwu alongside Ndifon.

Omotoso had since then declined to hear their bail applications, citing the need to protect the ICPC’s star witness.

Ruling on their bail application on Friday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotoso, said, “Bail is granted to the first defendants in the sum of N250m with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150m.

“The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements.

“The first defendants must submit his International passport to the court.

For Anyanwu, Omotoso granted him bail in the region of N50m with two sureties.

“The second defendant is granted bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties who will submit their bank statements.

“The defendants must file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, readiness to attend trial and not to cause delay.”

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Monday for continuation of hearing.