Affirmation of Cybercrime Conviction

The legal battle involving Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, the former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), reached a significant milestone as the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, affirmed his conviction and two-year custodial sentence. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, September 18, 2026, the appellate court upheld the findings of the lower court regarding the academic’s inappropriate conduct toward a female student.

The decision, recorded under Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, sustained the judgment of the Federal High Court which found Ndifon guilty of soliciting pornographic and obscene photographs through electronic communication. This conviction on Count One, prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, carries a two-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.

Jurisdictional Shift for Corruption Charges

While the cybercrime conviction was upheld, the Court of Appeal took a different stance regarding the second count of the original trial. The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain charges brought under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, specifically concerning the conferment of undue advantage.

Consequently, the court ordered a fresh trial for Professor Ndifon on this specific count, directing that the matter be heard before the High Court of Cross River State. This procedural shift means that while one sentence is now active, the allegations related to official corruption must be litigated anew in the appropriate regional jurisdiction.

Background of the Judicial Proceedings

The case originated from a protracted trial led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The prosecution argued that Ndifon, leveraging his influential position as Dean, exerted significant pressure on a student to provide indecent materials. Evidence presented during the trial included various electronic communications relied upon by the commission to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

On November 17, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, initially sentenced Ndifon to two years for the cybercrime charge and five years for the corruption charge, to run concurrently. Following the appellate review, the ICPC indicated it is evaluating the jurisdictional ruling. The Commission noted it may challenge the decision regarding Count Two before a superior court to seek further judicial determination on the matter.

Institutional Accountability and Professional Ethics

The proceedings have drawn national attention to the power dynamics within Nigerian educational institutions, highlighting the vulnerability of students under the authority of high-ranking administrators. The ICPC emphasized that the case underscores the responsibilities attached to public and institutional roles, particularly regarding the exploitation of subordinates or students.

Reaffirming its dedication to due process and institutional integrity, the Commission stated its intention to follow the legal process to its conclusion in the interest of justice and public accountability.

The Commission respects the decisions of the courts and will continue to utilise the available legal avenues where it considers further judicial clarification necessary.

— Spokesperson, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

With the appellate judgment, the legal journey for the former Dean continues on two distinct paths: a confirmed prison sentence for cyber-related offences and a returning trial for alleged corruption in Cross River State.