The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has formally received the report of the Investigation Panel set up to probe allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon by some students.

Receiving the report from the panel in her office, Obi commended the members for their effort and commitment to ensure that the investigation was concluded within a short period of time.

She stated that although the management of the institution had not gone through the report, she was optimistic that it would help the university to conclude the matter and move forward.

She gave the assurance that the report, as delivered by the panel, would be presented to the Ministers of Education and Women Affairs, as well as the Executive Secretary of NUC.

She reiterated that members of the panel were carefully selected based on their offices, position and credibility, describing them as individuals full of capacity and integrity.

Speaking on the comments by some members of the public regarding the matter, the VC said the report of the panel would serve as the mouthpiece of the university to all.

“I wanted someone who cannot be influenced, and on behalf of the University Management, I want to thank the chairman for accepting to head this panel. I want to also thank every member of the panel. To take the university higher, we need men and women who are credible,” she added.

According to her, it was very unusual to have an External Observer for any investigation in the university but because of the sensitive nature of the issues raised and the personalities involved, the management had to make an exception.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Prof. Dorothy Oluwagbemi Jacob, said: “We went out of our way to investigate the issues point by point. We did not rely on hearsay. We did the work objectively. We allowed all stakeholders to speak their minds. Every finding has evidence with verification. The result was not made up or cooked. Every fact here can be verified.”

She commended other members of the panel for their cooperation, time and commitment towards delivering on their mandate, adding that should anyone find the report beautiful, it was because of the collaborations of the professionals involved.