The daily torch media
In a landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the two-year prison sentence of Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), for soliciting indecent photographs from a female student.
The appellate court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, confirming Ndifon’s conviction under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The legal battle began when the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) prosecuted Ndifon for abusing his administrative authority to sexually exploit students under his supervision. During the trial, the ICPC presented digital communications proving that the former dean used electronic channels to solicit pornographic material from a female student.
On November 17, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced Ndifon to two years on Count One (cybercrime) and five years on Count Two (conferring undue advantage), running concurrently without an option of a fine. Ndifon subsequently appealed the ruling.
In its latest decision, the Court of Appeal sustained the two-year custodial sentence for Count One, confirming that the digital evidence established the former dean’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Regarding Count Two, brought under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices Act, the appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the charge. The court directed the ICPC to initiate fresh prosecution on that count at the High Court of Cross River State.
The ICPC confirmed it is preparing to appeal the jurisdictional ruling on Count Two before the Supreme Court. However, the Commission stressed that the appellate decision on Count Two does not weaken or alter Ndifon’s standing conviction and prison sentence under Count One.
Reaffirming its mandate, the ICPC reiterated its commitment to prosecuting abuse of office, official corruption, and public-position exploitation across Nigerian tertiary institutions while adhering to due process.
