The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, for three months following allegations of sexual misconduct and violation of the university’s General and Academic Regulations.
Odinye will receive half of his salary throughout the suspension period.
The university announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah.
The suspension followed the interim report of a six-member Special Investigative Panel set up by the university to investigate allegations arising from an incident involving staff and students of the Department of Chinese Studies.
The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, submitted its interim report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, August 21, 2026.
However, the university said it had deferred consideration of the sexual harassment allegation against Odinye because further investigation was needed to establish the facts.
According to the statement, the panel had so far completed two of its five terms of reference and found the lecturer culpable of violating provisions of the university’s General and Academic Regulations relating to examination misconduct.
The panel found that Odinye failed to record and submit a case of examination misconduct involving a student, Chikamso Okechukwu, using the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
It also found that he returned a phone recovered during the examination to Okechukwu on the same day, contrary to university regulations.
The university said the remaining issues under investigation include whether sexual harassment occurred, the identities of those who allegedly assaulted the lecturer and whether any kidnapping incident was connected to the matter.
The panel’s tenure has been extended by another two weeks to enable it to complete the investigation and submit its recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor.
The investigation followed a viral video that emerged online about two weeks ago, showing some students physically assaulting and rough-handling Odinye on the university premises.
The lecturer was allegedly attacked after he was accused of molesting a female student.
Following the incident, the university condemned the students’ resort to violence, self-help and jungle justice and ordered a comprehensive and impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, Okechukwu has been referred to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.
The university said the investigative panel would submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor after completing its assignment.
It added that a final decision on the matter, including possible criminal prosecution, would be considered based on the outcome of the investigation.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to staff and student welfare, transparency, fair hearing and zero tolerance for unethical practices.
