Details emerge: UNIZIK Suspends Professor Odinye for Three Months Over Misconduct Allegations

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, has placed Professor Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, on a three-month suspension. This action follows allegations of s*xual misconduct and a breach of the university’s General and Academic Regulations.

The disciplinary measure comes two weeks after a video widely circulated online showed Professor Odinye being physically assaulted and stripped n*ked by students. The students reportedly attacked him for allegedly attempting to exploit a female student he had previously accused of examination malpractice.

In an official statement issued on Monday, August 24, Mr. Aloysius Attah, the institution’s Director of Information and Public Relations, confirmed that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bond Anyaehie, approved the suspension. This approval was based on recommendations from a preliminary report submitted last Friday by a six-member Special Investigative Panel. The panel is chaired by Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies.

Furthermore, the university has referred the student involved in the incident, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation into her alleged malpractice.

According to UNIZIK, the preliminary findings of the panel addressed two out of its five terms of reference. The panel determined that Professor Odinye violated Section 5.8.3 of the university's General and Academic Regulations by failing to officially record and submit the examination misconduct case involving Ms. Okechukwu using the prescribed form. Additionally, the panel found that Professor Odinye returned the mobile phone confiscated from the student during the examination on the same day, which contravenes Section 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s regulations.

The university’s statement detailed the preliminary report and the remaining issues for the committee’s consideration, stating:

“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 (GAR) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by failing to not only record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso Favour 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 sexu@l harassment, identities of the persons involved in the ass@ult meted to Prof. Odinye and whether there was any incident of k!dnapping 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 priotisation of staff/ student’s welfare and zero tolerance to unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing.”

The statement further reiterated the same points from the panel’s report:

“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 (GAR) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by failing to not only record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso Favour 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 sexu@l harassment, identities of the persons involved in the ass@ult meted to Prof. Odinye and whether there was any incident of k!dnapping 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 priotisation of staff/ student’s welfare and zero tolerance to unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing.”

Following these findings, the investigative committee is expected to complete its inquiry and submit recommendations to the Vice Chancellor. A final verdict, potentially including criminal prosecution, will follow these findings.