Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months on half salary over alleged violations of the institution’s examination misconduct procedures.
The university also referred the student involved in the incident, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.
The disciplinary actions were approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, following the submission of a preliminary report by a six-member Special Investigative Panel chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma.
Metrotimesng had earlier reported the news of a video on social media showing Prof. Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies at UNIZIK, being physically assaulted and stripped naked by a group of persons on the university campus.
The lecturer was accused of allegedly attempting to have sexual intercourse with the student, Chikamso, who was allegedly involved in an examination malpractice case, before the individual, who the student had alerted earlier barged into his office and captured him on tape naked.
A statement issued on Monday by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, said the panel found that Prof. Odinye breached Sections 5.8.3 and 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s General and Academic Regulations (GAR).
According to the report, the lecturer failed to formally document and submit an examination misconduct case against the student using the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
He was also accused of returning a mobile phone allegedly recovered from the student during an examination on the same day, contrary to the university’s regulations.
Based on the panel’s recommendations, the Vice-Chancellor approved the lecturer’s suspension for an initial period of three months with half salary.
The statement said the student’s case would now be handled by the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee in line with the university’s disciplinary procedures.
The university has also extended the tenure of the investigative panel by two weeks to enable it conclude investigations into three outstanding issues.
These include allegations of sexual harassment, the identities of those allegedly involved in an assault on Prof. Odinye, and claims of kidnapping connected to the incident.
The panel is expected to submit its final report and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor after completing its investigations, after which the university will determine further disciplinary measures, including possible criminal prosecution where necessary.
The university management reiterated its commitment to staff and student welfare, transparency, fair hearing, and a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct.
