Sometime last year, news broke out about a law student, Ekong Nkang,who was allegedly raped by a law lecturer in University of Calabar. She claimed that he tore her script in the exam hall and later invited her to his office, to re-copy her answer from the torn script into a new sheet.
She claimed, that while she was in his office, he went out and came in with drinks and told her to kiss him with the drink in his mouth and she refused. According to her, "he started to fondle me and attempting to forcefully kiss me and introduce drink into my mouth. I continued to resist until he overpowered me. Thereafter, he dragged me to a chair in his office, put on a condom, and tore off the trouser I was wearing and forcefully penetrated me, and had set with me without my consent."
Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon, a senior lecturer and former dean of faculty of law, denied all allegations against him. He further said that he could produce witnesses to testify to his innocence of the allegation against him, declaring that the petition is completely baseless, malicious, vexatious, and a calculated attempt to harass and embarrass. This, however, did not prevent the university from suspending him. He has consequently filed a suit at the National Industrial Court, sitting in calabar, to challenge his suspension.
It should be noted that after the matter was reported to the police, Nkang was sent to the police clinic for examination, six hours after the alleged rape. A copy of the result showed no evidence of rape. No vaginal bleeding; no obvious painful distress and no skin bruises. The examination further stated that there was absence of lacerations.
Prof. Ndifon has asked the court to determine the legality of the action taken by the university. If found to be illegal, he wants the court to squash his suspension and order the university to recall him promptly.
Culled from Sunday Sun
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