By Nkechi Eze
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the two-year imprisonment imposed on Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, for soliciting pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student.
According to an official statement by J. Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC, the appellate court, in its judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, upheld the conviction and sentence handed down by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Count One of the charge.
The offence, prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, arose from allegations that Ndifon solicited the photographs from a female student through electronic communication while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had, on November 17, 2025, convicted Ndifon on two counts and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on Count One and five years on Count Two, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently and without an option of fine.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, Ndifon appealed his conviction and sentence. However, the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and two-year custodial sentence on Count One after considering the evidence and grounds of appeal.
The ICPC said the conviction was based on evidence presented during the trial, including testimony from prosecution witnesses and electronic communications between Ndifon and the female student.
The appellate court, however, reached a different conclusion on Count Two, which alleged that Ndifon conferred an undue advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
It held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the offence under the ICPC Act and ordered that Ndifon be prosecuted afresh on the count before the High Court of Cross River State.
The ICPC said it was taking steps to challenge the jurisdictional decision on Count Two before the appropriate superior court, stressing that the development does not affect the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of Ndifon’s conviction on Count One.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to prosecuting corruption, abuse of office and related offences, particularly cases involving the alleged misuse of institutional authority to exploit persons under an accused person’s influence.
It also said it would continue to pursue the matter through available legal avenues and provide further updates as the legal process progresses.
