Zainab Abioye
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has suspended a professor in the Department of Chinese Studies, Ifeanyi Odinye, for three months over alleged violations of the institution’s regulations.
The suspension, which carries half salary, followed the preliminary findings of a six-member investigative panel set up by the university to examine allegations against the lecturer.
The development came days after Odinye was allegedly assaulted and stripped by some students following an allegation that he attempted to sexually molest a female student in his office.
The university’s spokesman, Aloysius Attah, disclosed the suspension in a statement on Monday, saying the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, approved the disciplinary measure after receiving the panel’s preliminary report.
According to Attah, the panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, investigated five allegations against the professor but addressed two in its preliminary report.
The panel found Odinye liable for violating Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations in relation to an examination misconduct case involving a student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
The university alleged that the professor failed to properly document and submit the examination misconduct case on the prescribed form and returned the phone recovered from the student during the examination on the same day.
Attah said Okechukwu had subsequently been referred to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee in accordance with the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.
However, the university said three other issues involving the professor remain under investigation, including the allegation of sexual harassment.
The committee has also been directed to establish the identities of those involved in the assault on Odinye and determine whether there was any incident of kidnapping connected with the matter.
The university said the committee had two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor.
Attah said the recommendations would guide the university’s final decision, including possible criminal prosecution where necessary.
Students assault professor
The suspension followed an incident on August 15, when Odinye was reportedly attacked by some students after an allegation of attempted sexual assault involving a female student went viral.
A video of the incident showed the female student leaving the lecturer’s office and alleging that Odinye had attempted to sexually assault her.
The allegation reportedly triggered a confrontation in which some individuals pursued the professor after he left the university premises.
He was later attacked by several persons within the university environment.
At the time, the university had not publicly identified the lecturer or established the facts surrounding the allegation.
The latest development means the university has now formally taken disciplinary action against Odinye over the matters contained in the panel’s preliminary report, while the more serious sexual harassment allegation remains subject to further investigation.
The university management said it would uphold due process and fair hearing while maintaining its commitment to staff and student welfare.
Attah quoted the Vice-Chancellor as reiterating the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct and its commitment to transparency and fair hearing.
The university is expected to take a final position after receiving the report of the committee investigating the remaining allegations.
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