Crime

Appeal Court Affirms Ndifon’s Two-Year Jail Term Over Sexual Harassment

Published

1 week ago

September 25, 2026

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Appeal Court Affirms Ndifon’s Two-Year Jail Term Over Sexual Harassment

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the conviction of Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, the erstwhile Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, for soliciting pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student.
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The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, September 18, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which convicted Professor Ndifon on Count One of the charge and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

The conviction arose from evidence before the trial court that Professor Ndifon, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, solicited pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student through electronic communication.

The offence in Count One was prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Following a protracted trial, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, found the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to establish the offence against the former Dean beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial court subsequently convicted Professor Ndifon on November 17, 2025, and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on Count One and five years on Count Two, without the option of a fine. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Professor Ndifon, dissatisfied with the judgment, appealed to the Court of Appeal, challenging his conviction and sentence.

The appellate court, having considered the grounds of appeal, affirmed the conviction and sentence in respect of Count One.

The affirmation by the Court of Appeal means that the conviction of Professor Ndifon on the cybercrime-related offence contained in Count One has now been sustained by the appellate court.

The case originated from allegations concerning the conduct of Professor Ndifon towards female students while he was Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar.

During the trial, the ICPC presented evidence relating to communications between the appellant and a female student, including electronic communications which formed part of the evidence relied upon by the prosecution.

The prosecution’s case was that Professor Ndifon, by virtue of his position as Dean and the authority attached to that office, was in a position to exercise significant influence over students of the Faculty. The allegation in Count One specifically concerned the solicitation of pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a student.

In its consideration of the evidence, the Federal High Court examined the testimony of prosecution witnesses as well as the electronic evidence tendered before it. The court ultimately held that the ingredients of the offence charged under the Cybercrime Act had been established beyond reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeal has now affirmed that finding in respect of Count One, thereby sustaining the conviction and the two-year custodial sentence imposed on Professor Ndifon for the offence.

With respect to Count Two, which concerned the allegation of conferment of an undue advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the Court of Appeal took a different position on jurisdiction.

The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the offence under the ICPC Act and consequently ordered the Respondent to commence prosecution of Professor Ndifon on the count before the High Court of Cross River State.

The ICPC is currently taking steps to challenge this aspect of the judgment before the appropriate superior court. The Commission considers the jurisdictional question arising from Count Two to be a matter requiring further judicial determination.

Appeal Court

The Commission wishes to emphasise that the appellate court’s decision on Count Two does not affect its affirmation of the conviction on Count One. The conviction for soliciting pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a student remains affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to the prosecution of corruption, abuse of office and other related offences, particularly where public or institutional authority is allegedly used to exploit persons under the authority or influence of an accused person.

The ICPC also reaffirms its commitment to conducting its investigations and prosecutions strictly within the provisions of the law and in accordance with due process.

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

The Commission will provide further updates on the matter as the legal process progresses.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC
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Crime

Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

Published

13 hours ago

October 2, 2026

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Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
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The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.

According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.

“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.

He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.

Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.

Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Police

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.

The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
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Crime

Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2026

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Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
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The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.

During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.

Navy

The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.

The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
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Crime

Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of 431 Phones from Chinese Convicts

Published

3 days ago

September 30, 2026

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Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of 431 Phones from Chinese Convicts

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, secured the final forfeiture of 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government.
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The mobile phones were linked to Chinese cyber-fraud operators who had previously been convicted by the court.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued the forfeiture order following a motion on notice filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Hannatu Kofarnaisa.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 8, 2026, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to give interested persons or entities an opportunity to show cause why the phones should not be permanently forfeited.

While moving the application for final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa informed the court that the EFCC had complied with the directive by publishing the notice in The Guardian newspaper on August 11, 2026.

She added that no individual or entity came forward to contest the forfeiture within the period stipulated by the court.

The application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Christopher Augustine, who detailed the findings of the Commission’s investigation.

According to the affidavit, the 431 mobile phones were linked to a cyber-fraud operation allegedly involving Chinese and Nigerian youths at a facility known as “HK” in Victoria Island, Lagos which was used to train and deploy Nigerian youths and foreign nationals to carry out romance, investment and cryptocurrency fraud.

While noting that victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe were major targets, he revealed that a sting operation conducted on December 10, 2024, led to the arrest of more than 700 individuals, including about 500 Nigerians, 148 Chinese , 40 Filipinos and other foreign nationals.

The affidavit also stated that Genting International Company Limited (GICL), allegedly controlled by Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken, a Chinese and other foreign nationals, were involved in the operation.

According to the EFCC, Huang and GICL were subsequently charged with seven counts bordering on cyber terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, failure to declare activities to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), illegal foreign exchange transactions and money laundering.

The Commission stated that Huang and GICL pleaded guilty to the charges and were subsequently convicted and sentenced by the court.

He stated that the 431 devices were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were therefore subject to forfeiture pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.