Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean of the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Law, has been granted bail by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Bail was also granted for his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, who was also charged with a crime alongside him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The professor and his lawyer are currently standing trial on amended four counts of alleged sexual harassment and an attempt to perverse the cause of justice.
Anyanwu was granted N50m bail with two sureties, while Ndifon was granted N250m bail with two sureties.
The professor was remanded by the court on January 8, the day of his arraignment.
On January 10, Ndifon was then granted a temporary bail so he could have eye surgery.
Anyanwu was included in the amended charge that the ICPC filed on January 22 in response to the prosecution’s claim that he had made phone threats against the commission’s star witness during the course of the case’s trial.
The remand of Anyanwu and Ndifon was issued by trial judge James Omotoso during the proceedings on January 26.
Omotoso had since then declined to hear their bail applications, citing the need to protect the ICPC’s star witness.
Ruling on their bail application on Friday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotoso, said, “Bail is granted to the first defendants in the sum of N250m with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150m.
“The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements.“The first defendants must submit his International passport to the court.For Anyanwu, Omotoso granted him bail in the region of N50m with two sureties.
“The second defendant is granted bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties who will submit their bank statements.
“The defendants must file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, readiness to attend trial and not to cause delay.”
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Monday for continuation of hearing.