The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has suspended a professor in the Department of Chinese Studies, Ifeanyi Odinye, for three months.
The university said Odinye violated its General and Academic Regulations. Vice-Chancellor Ugochukwu Anyaehie approved the suspension on half salary as an initial disciplinary measure. University spokesman Aloysius Attah disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the decision followed the preliminary report of a six-member Special Investigative Panel.
The development comes days after students allegedly assaulted and stripped Odinye following a sexual harassment allegation involving a female student. However, the university has not reached a final finding on the sexual harassment claim. It has directed the investigative committee to examine the outstanding issues before taking further action.
Why UNIZIK suspended the professor
The six-member panel investigated five allegations against Odinye but addressed two in its preliminary report. One of the issues involved an examination misconduct case concerning a student identified as Chikamso Favour Okechukwu. According to the panel, Odinye failed to record and submit the case through the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form. It also said he returned a phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day.
The panel said the action contravened Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations. The university has since referred Okechukwu’s examination misconduct case to the appropriate committee. The committee will handle the matter in line with the vice-chancellor’s directive.
Sexual harassment allegation remains under investigation
The university has not made a final finding on the allegation against Odinye. Management has instead directed the committee to investigate three additional issues within two weeks. The committee will determine whether sexual harassment occurred and identify those involved in the assault on the professor. It will also examine whether any kidnapping incident occurred during the episode.
The university said the committee would submit its findings and recommendations to the vice-chancellor after completing the investigation. Those findings will guide the university’s final decision on the outstanding allegations. They could also determine whether any criminal prosecution should follow.
How the professor was assaulted
The incident attracted widespread attention after a video circulated online on August 15. In the video, the female student emerged from the lecturer’s office carrying his clothes. She accused him of attempting to sexually assault her. The student was heard alleging that the professor attempted to rape her. The allegation prompted some unidentified men to chase him after he reportedly left in a tricycle.
Another part of the footage showed several men attacking the professor within the university premises. The men later stripped him completely during the assault. The university is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The university had earlier said Odinye was physically assaulted and stripped by angry students following the alleged incident involving the female student.
UNIZIK promises fair hearing
Attah said the university would await the committee’s findings before reaching a final decision on the remaining allegations. He said the vice-chancellor remained committed to the welfare of both staff and students. The university also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards unethical practices. At the same time, management said it would uphold transparency and fair hearing throughout the investigation.
The institution is expected to announce its final position after the committee submits its report and recommendations.
Read also: Video: Anglican priest suspended by Paul University over alleged misconduct
