A coalition of over 500 women’s rights organisations under the aegis of Womanifesto yesterday faulted the statement credited to the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, in the ongoing investigation of the embattled Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifo.

They asked the minister to tender a public apology for allegedly working against the interest of women in Nigeria. The organisations were reacting to a circulating video clip where the minister was threatening students with dire consequences, including imprisonment, if they continued to pursue the case of sexual harassment against Ndifon.

The minister also insinuated that the students were being used and manipulated by some people to get Ndifon out of office so they (the manipulators) could take his place.

Womanifesto, in a letter to Ohaneye, dated September 15, 2023, signed by its Co-convener and Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, urged the minister to desist from interfering in the case.

The organisation, in the letter made available to journalists, said: “Let it be stated clearly that Womanifesto outrightly condemns attempts to trivialise sexual harassment by narrowly reducing it to penetrative sex or rape only. We demand a retraction from the Hon. Minister and an apology to the innocent students who have been bullied and traumatised by you.

“We believe the Office of the Minister of Women Affairs should be investing its energies in rallying support for victims and survivors of sexual harassment and all forms of gender-based violence, and mitigating all factors that could compound the vulnerability of women and girls.

“Your utterances, Minister, have no doubt done a lot of damage to the collective of Nigerian women and girls and we hereby demand that you publicly apologise for meddling in the UNICAL sexual harassment case against Prof. Ndifon and attempting to silence the voices of the students who are victims of the harassment. We expect your commitment to justice and fair play.”

The group called on the Human Rights Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that women and girls who have the courage to come forward when sexually violated receive adequate protection and justice.

“We are also calling on well meaning Nigerians to lend their support to efforts to rid our campuses of sexual predators who abuse their office and power to sexually exploit our young women and children who simply want to pursue academic aspirations,” the group added.

Similarly, the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), has called on the management of UNICAL, the Nigeria Police, as well as ICPC to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the sexual harassment and abuse of office leveled against Ndifon.

SPIDEL, in a press statement made available to journalists yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba State, said, “all relevant authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure that justice is served and that those found guilty of any wrongdoing face appropriate consequences.”

The statement, jointly signed by its chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, noted that the integrity of the investigative panel was at stake, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

“We call for a thorough and impartial investigation into these allegations and insist on accountability, transparency and appropriate action to address this deeply concerning matter.”

The group also expressed sadness at the alleged way and manner the Minister of Women Affairs was allegedly interfering in the matter.

“SPIDEL is deeply concerned and disturbed by recent developments surrounding the investigation, which border on witness and evidence tampering.

“SPIDEL is particularly troubled about the alleged actions of the newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, in relation to the matter. Recent revelations, including leaked audio recordings of the Minister of Women Affairs’ conversations with some of the student victims have raised serious concerns.

“The Minister’s actions amount to witness tampering hence the need for all parties involved to refrain from further engaging in that act and to allow the investigative panel to carry out its work independently and diligently,” the statement added.