UNIZIK Suspends Lecturer Over S3xual Misconduct Allegations After Viral Video

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 over allegations of sexual misconduct and breaches of the university's General and Academic Regulations.

The suspension follows a viral video that surfaced two weeks ago showing Odinye being physically assaulted, stripped and beaten by students who accused him of attempting to take advantage of a female student he had earlier caught in an alleged case of examination malpractice.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, the university's Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, said Vice Chancellor Prof. Bond Anyaehie approved the suspension based on recommendations contained in a preliminary report submitted last Friday by a six-member Special Investigative Panel chaired by the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma.

According to the statement, the panel's preliminary findings addressed two of five issues within its terms of reference, and found that Odinye had failed to properly document the alleged examination misconduct involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.

‘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 (GAR) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by failing to not only record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso Favour 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,’ the statement read.

The university said it had also referred Okechukwu to the Students' Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation into her role in the matter.

Three remaining issues before the panel are expected to be resolved within an extended two-week period.

‘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 statement noted.

The university said the committee's members are expected to conclude their findings and forward recommendations to the Vice Chancellor before a final verdict is reached, including the possibility of criminal prosecution.

‘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,’ the statement added.