UNIZIK Suspends Lecturer For Three Months Over Sexual Misconduct

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for three months over alleged sexual misconduct and violations of the university’s regulations.

The suspension comes with half salary and followed the preliminary findings of a six-member investigative panel set up by the university to examine an incident involving the lecturer and students of the department.

In a statement released on Monday, the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, said the panel had not reached a final decision on the sexual harassment allegation.

Attah said more investigation was needed before the issue could be determined.

The panel, led by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, submitted its preliminary report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The matter came to public attention after a video showing some students physically attacking and manhandling Odinye on the university premises went viral on social media about two weeks ago.

The lecturer was reportedly attacked after he was allegedly caught molesting a female student.

The incident generated widespread reactions, with many people calling for the university to investigate the matter.

Following the incident, the university condemned the students’ alleged use of violence and warned against jungle justice or taking the law into their own hands.

The management subsequently ordered a full and impartial investigation into the incident.

In the Monday statement, the panel’s preliminary report found that Odinye breached Section 5.8.3 of the institution’s General and Academic Regulations in his handling of an examination misconduct case involving student Chikamso Okechukwu.

The statement read, “The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for a period of three months with half salary on the first instance, following the recommendations of the six-man special investigative panel who submitted their preliminary report on Friday, August 21, 2026.

“The student involved in the unfortunate incident, Chikamso Okechukwu, according to the directive of the Vice Chancellor, has been referred to the student’s examination misconduct committee.

“The Vice Chancellor has also extended the duration of the committee for another two weeks to enable the team to complete their assignment and address in full their five-point terms of reference.

“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 of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by failing to not only record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso 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.

“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 committee members are expected to conclude their findings with recommendations to the Vice Chancellor before a final verdict, including possible criminal prosecution, is initiated.

“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.”

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