UNIZIK suspends lecturer For Three months; Refers Student To Examination Misconduct Panel
By Ebubechukwu Onyekwelu.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, suspended Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months with half salary and referred Chikamso Favour Okechukwu to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee following the preliminary report of a Special Investigative Panel constituted to investigate an incident involving the lecturer and students of the department.
The development follows an earlier report by Amarachukwu Callistus published on Odogwu Blog on August 16, after a video of Odinye being assaulted and stripped by some persons circulated online. The report said the incident followed allegations by a female student against the lecturer, with the student alleging that
“It was the lecturer who removed his own clothes while I pretended to remove mine,” during an encounter in his office.
An update was released on August 24 through an official press release from the university’s Office of the Director, Information and Public Relations, signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah.
The release, titled “Interim Report of the Special Investigative Panel on Alleged Incident of Kidnapping, Assault and Examination Misconduct Involving Staff and Students of Department of Chinese Studies,” disclosed the preliminary findings of the six-man panel.
According to the release, the panel, chaired by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, had considered two of its five terms of reference and
“indicted Prof Odinye for contravening Section 5.8.3”
of the university’s General and Academic Regulations. The university said he failed to record and submit the examination misconduct case against Okechukwu on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form and returned the phone recovered from her during the examination on the same day, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the regulations.
Consequently, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, approved a three-month suspension with half salary in the first instance for Odinye, while Okechukwu was referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.
Meanwhile, the university said the three other issues before the investigative panel remain unresolved. These include “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 Vice-Chancellor has therefore extended the duration of the investigative committee by another two weeks to enable it complete its assignment and address the remaining issues. The university said the committee is expected to conclude its findings and make recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor before a final verdict, including possible criminal prosecution, is initiated.
UNIZIK management also reiterated its commitment to the welfare of staff and students, zero tolerance for unethical practices, transparency and fair hearing as the investigation continues.
As of the time of filing this report, no final decision has been released on the allegations of sexual harassment, assault or kidnapping.
Further reports are expected as the investigative panel completes its remaining assignment and submits its recommendations to the university management.
