Nigerian Varsity UNIZIK Suspends Professor Over Alleged Sexual Molestation Of Female Student | Sahara Reporters
The university said the preliminary report found Odinye culpable of violating provisions of its General and Academic Regulations in his handling of an examination misconduct case involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has suspended Prof Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months over allegations of sexual molestation involving a female student, the university said on Monday.
The suspension, approved by the Vice Chancellor, Ugochukwu Anyaehie, will be with half salary and followed the preliminary report of a six-member investigative panel set up to examine the incident. The panel submitted its preliminary findings on August 21, according to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah.
The university said the preliminary report found Odinye culpable of violating provisions of its General and Academic Regulations in his handling of an examination misconduct case involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
According to the university, Odinye failed to record and submit the examination misconduct case on the prescribed report form and returned a phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day, contrary to the university’s regulations.
The university, however, said the panel had not completed its investigation into the sexual molestation allegation.
Attah said the Vice Chancellor extended the panel’s mandate by another two weeks to enable it to determine whether sexual harassment occurred, identify those involved in the assault on Odinye and establish whether there was any kidnapping during the incident.
“The committee members are expected to conclude their findings with recommendations to the Vice Chancellor before a final verdict is initiated, including possible criminal prosecution,” Attah said.
The development followed an August 15 incident in which Odinye was physically assaulted and stripped by some students after a female student allegedly emerged from his office carrying his clothes and accused him of attempting to sexually assault her.
A video of the incident circulated online, showing the lecturer being pursued by people believed to be students before he left the university premises in a tricycle. The university has not made a final finding on the sexual assault allegation.
The student involved has also been referred to the university’s examination misconduct committee, following the Vice Chancellor’s directive.
The university said its administration remains committed to staff and student welfare, transparency and fair hearing while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy on unethical conduct.
The investigative panel is expected to complete its remaining work within the extended two-week period and submit its recommendations to the Vice Chancellor, after which the university will determine further disciplinary or legal action.