Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months over alleged sexual misconduct and violation of the university’s General and Academic Regulations.
The university announced the suspension in a statement issued on Monday, Aug. 24, by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Aloysius Attah.
Attah said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, approved the suspension following recommendations contained in the preliminary report of a six-member Special Investigative Panel.
The panel, chaired by the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, submitted its preliminary report on Friday.
The university said the panel’s preliminary report addressed two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.
According to the report, Odinye contravened Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations by failing to record and submit an alleged examination misconduct case involving a student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
The panel also found that the lecturer returned a mobile phone recovered from the student during an examination to her on the same day, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the regulations.
The university, however, said the remaining three issues were still under investigation.
It said the outstanding issues included determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those involved in the assault on Odinye and establishing whether there was any incident of kidnapping.
The development followed a viral video, which surfaced about two weeks ago, showing Odinye being physically assaulted by some students.
The students were alleged to have attacked the lecturer over claims relating to an incident involving a female student whom he had previously caught in alleged examination malpractice.
The university said the student involved in the matter had also been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.
It said the investigative panel had been given a further two weeks to complete its findings and submit recommendations to the Vice Chancellor.
According to the institution, a final verdict, including possible criminal prosecution, would be considered after the conclusion of the investigation.
“The Vice Chancellor reiterates the stance of his administration’s prioritisation of staff/students’ welfare and zero tolerance to unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing,” the statement said.
The university stressed that the investigative process was ongoing and that the outstanding allegations would be determined after the panel concludes its work.
