UNIZIK suspends lecturer over ‘sexual misconduct’

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months, with half salary, following the preliminary findings of a six-member investigative panel constituted after a controversial incident involving the lecturer and a female student.

The university said, however, that the disciplinary action does not amount to a final determination of the sexual harassment allegation against Odinye, as the panel requires additional time to complete its investigation.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Emeka Attah, after the panel submitted its interim report to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on August 21, 2026.

The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, was set up after videos of the August 15 incident circulated widely on social media, showing students physically assaulting and stripping the lecturer amid allegations that he had attempted to sexually molest a female student.

What the panel found

According to the university, the panel’s preliminary report examined two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.

It found Odinye in breach of Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations over his handling of an examination misconduct case involving student Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.

The panel said the lecturer failed to document and submit the alleged examination misconduct through the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form. It also found that a mobile phone recovered from the student during the examination was returned to her the same day, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the regulations.

On the strength of the preliminary findings, the Vice-Chancellor approved Odinye’s three-month suspension on half salary.

The student involved in the examination matter has also been referred to the university’s Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further consideration.

Sexual harassment allegation still open

Despite the sanction against the lecturer, the university stressed that the allegation of sexual harassment remains unresolved.

The three outstanding areas of investigation include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those who physically assaulted Odinye and establishing whether there was any incident of kidnapping.

The university has consequently extended the panel’s mandate by another two weeks to enable it to conclude its work and submit its final recommendations. Those findings are expected to guide any further disciplinary action and, where necessary, possible criminal proceedings.

The distinction is significant: while the university has imposed a disciplinary measure over the handling of the examination misconduct case, it has not declared Odinye guilty of the sexual harassment allegation.

Viral video triggered investigation

The controversy erupted on August 15 after videos from the university premises showed the lecturer being chased, assaulted and stripped by a group of students.

The footage circulated rapidly online, with allegations that the confrontation followed an attempt by Odinye to sexually assault a female student. At the time, the university moved to distance itself from the violence, condemning what it described as the use of “violence, self-help or jungle justice” and ordering an immediate, comprehensive and impartial investigation.

When the incident first came to public attention, university authorities had not established the identity of the student involved, while Odinye was reportedly receiving medical attention after the assault. The university subsequently constituted the investigative panel to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The latest development therefore leaves two separate issues running in parallel: Odinye has been sanctioned over his handling of an examination misconduct case, while the more serious sexual harassment allegation, as well as questions surrounding the assault and alleged kidnapping, remain under investigation.

The Vice-Chancellor has meanwhile reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to staff and student welfare, zero tolerance for unethical conduct, transparency and fair hearing as the investigation proceeds.