AWKA – The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has officially suspended Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, following his involvement in a viral sexual misconduct scandal.
Tripod Times reports that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, approved the three-month suspension with half salary as an interim administrative action while deep investigative processes continue.
The suspension follows a chaotic video that circulated heavily on social media, showing a female student, identified as Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, leaving the professor’s office with his clothes. She publicly accused him of attempting to sexually assault her.
Following her screams, an angry mob of unidentified individuals, believed to be students, cornered Prof. Odinye, physically assaulted him, and completely stripped him naked on the university premises.
According to an official statement signed by UNIZIK’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, a six-man Special Investigative Panel led by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma was set up to look into the matter.
Out of five core mandates, the panel has finalized preliminary decisions on two issues:
Breach of Regulations: The panel indicted Prof. Odinye for violating Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations. He reportedly failed to officially report an examination misconduct case involving the female student and improperly returned her confiscated mobile phone on the very same day.
Student Sanctions: The student involved has also been officially referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further disciplinary investigation.
Extended Probe Into Assault and HarassmentThe university management clarified that the three-month suspension is an initial measure.
The Vice-Chancellor has granted the panel a two-week extension to conclude its findings on the remaining three critical areas of the case: Determining whether an actual case of sexual harassment took place. Identifying the individuals behind the physical assault and public stripping of the professor.
UNIZIK reiterated its strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of academic or moral misconduct, reassuring the public that transparent legal and disciplinary actions will be taken once the full investigation report is submitted.
