Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student.
The suspension, approved by Vice Chancellor Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie, followed the preliminary findings of a six-member investigative panel constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Odinye will serve the suspension on half salary while the investigation continues.
The university’s action follows an August 15 incident in which Odinye was physically assaulted and stripped by a group of students who accused him of attempting to sexually assault a female student in his office.
A video of the incident circulated widely online, showing the female student leaving the lecturer’s office with his clothes and alleging that he had attempted to rape her.
Other individuals were subsequently seen pursuing the lecturer as he attempted to leave the university premises in a tricycle.
The university has not yet reached a final conclusion on the sexual assault allegation.
UNIZIK panel identifies examination misconduct breaches
The investigative panel, chaired by Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, submitted its preliminary report to the Vice Chancellor on August 21.
According to university spokesman Aloysius Attah, the panel initially examined two of five issues contained in its terms of reference.
The panel found that Odinye breached Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations by failing to properly document and submit an examination-misconduct case involving student Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
It also found that he returned a phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the regulations. The student has subsequently been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee.
The Vice Chancellor has extended the panel’s mandate by another two weeks to enable it to address the remaining three issues.
These include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those involved in the assault on Odinye and establishing whether there was any incident of kidnapping connected to the case.
The panel is expected to submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice Chancellor after completing the investigation.
According to Attah, the recommendations could include criminal prosecution, depending on the panel’s findings.
UNIZIK promises fair hearing
The university said the suspension does not represent a final verdict on the sexual harassment allegation, with the investigation still ongoing.
Anyaehie’s administration reiterated its commitment to staff and student welfare, transparency and fair hearing, while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct.
The incident has drawn widespread attention after footage of the assault on the professor circulated on social media, bringing renewed scrutiny to allegations of sexual misconduct and the treatment of accused academics and students within Nigerian universities.
