By Kamsi Anayo
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Cyril Ndifon, and one Barrister Sunny Anyanwu in the sexual harassment and gratification case instituted against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Ndifon was granted N250 million bail while Sunny was granted bail with N50 million among other stringent bail conditions.
The defence counsel, Joe Agi and Solomon Umoh, had urged the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms.
But the prosecution counsel countered the bail application, asking the court to dismiss it because the don would interfere with the evidence of the witness.
Ruling on the bail on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that while bail is a constitutional right, the court must be guided by the nature of a charge and the possibility of the accused person interfering with the case against him, among other things.
He said the defendants are facing sexual harassment offences for requesting nude videos but they are not capital offences like terrorism.
Omotosho said, “This court grants the defendants bail on the following conditions; bail is granted to the first defendants in the sum of N250 million with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150 million.
“The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements.
“The first defendants must submit his International passport to the court.
“The second defendant is granted bail with the sum of N50 million 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.”
Subsequently, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Monday for the continuation of the hearing.