The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced it will challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling on jurisdiction in the case of Cyril Ndifon, the former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar. The commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, indicating that the agency considers the jurisdictional issues arising from the case to require further determination by a superior court.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, recently affirmed Ndifon’s conviction on count one of the charges, which involved the solicitation of pornographic, indecent, and obscene photographs from a female student. According to Odey, Ndifon was originally convicted on November 17, 2025, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for this specific offense.
Jurisdictional Dispute Over Second Count
While upholding the first conviction, the appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain count two of the charge. This count alleged that Ndifon conferred undue advantage in violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. Consequently, the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on this specific count, directing that the prosecution commence before the High Court of Cross River State.
“The appellate court, therefore, ordered retrial and directed that prosecution on count two should commence before the High Court of Cross River State,” Odey stated.
Odey emphasized that the appellate court’s decision regarding the jurisdiction of count two does not affect the affirmed conviction on count one. He clarified that Ndifon had also been committed to five years’ imprisonment on count two, with no option of a fine, and that the sentences for both counts were ordered to run concurrently. The ICPC spokesperson stressed that the conviction for soliciting indecent photographs from a student remains fully affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting corruption, abuse of office, and related offenses, particularly where public or institutional authority is allegedly used to exploit individuals under the influence of an accused person. Odey noted that the ICPC respects judicial decisions and will continue to utilize available legal avenues where further judicial clarification is deemed necessary, with further updates to be provided as the legal process progresses.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
