UNIZIK suspends lecturer for three months over sexual misconduct

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, for three months and placed him on half salary over alleged sexual misconduct and contravention of the university’s General and Academic Regulations.

In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by the institution’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, the university, however, deferred consideration of the allegation of sexual harassment against the lecturer, saying further investigations were required to establish the facts.

The decisions followed the interim report of a six-member Special Investigative Panel set up by the university to investigate allegations arising from an incident involving staff and students of the Department of Chinese Studies.

The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, submitted its preliminary report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday.

Recall that the alleged sexual misconduct was brought to the attention of the school management after a viral video surfaced online two weeks ago, in which some students of the institution were seen physically assaulting and rough-handling the lecturer on the school premises after he was caught allegedly molesting a female student.

Videos of the incident, which occurred within the university environment, went viral on various social media platforms and attracted widespread reactions and criticism, with calls for a thorough investigation.

Following the incident, the management of the institution expressed deep sadness and strongly condemned the resort to violence, self-help, or any form of jungle justice under any circumstance. The university authorities, therefore, directed an immediate, comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident.

However, in the Monday statement, Attah said the student involved in the unfortunate incident, Chikamso Okechukwu, according to the directive of the Vice Chancellor, has been referred to the student’s examination misconduct committee.

The statement read, “The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for a period of three months with half salary on the first instance, following the recommendations of the six-man special investigative panel who submitted their preliminary report on Friday, August 21, 2026.

“The student involved in the unfortunate incident, Chikamso Okechukwu, according to the directive of the Vice Chancellor, has been referred to the student’s examination misconduct committee

“The Vice Chancellor has also extended the duration of the committee for another two weeks to enable the team to complete their assignment and address in full their five-point terms of reference.

“The Panel, Chaired by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies,  in their preliminary report which dealt on two issues out of the five for determination, indicted Prof. Odinye for contravening Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by failing to not only record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso Okechukwu on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form, but also gave back the offending phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day in total disregard to section 5.8.1(iv) of the GAR.

“Other three issues for determination by the committee which shall be addressed within the two weeks extended time frame included ‘whether there was sexual harassment, identities of the persons involved in the assault meted to Prof. Odinye and whether there was any incident of kidnapping in the matter’.

“The committee members are expected to conclude their findings with recommendations to the Vice Chancellor before a final verdict, including possible criminal prosecution, is initiated.

“The Vice Chancellor reiterates the stance of his administration’s prioritisation of staff/ student’s welfare and zero tolerance to unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing.”