The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months following an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving a female student.
The suspension followed the submission of a preliminary report by a six-member investigative panel on August 21, 2026. The decision was approved by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie.
Odinye will serve the suspension on half salary, with the university citing alleged violations of its General and Academic Regulations.
However, the university clarified that the investigation into the sexual assault allegation remains ongoing. The panel has been granted an additional two weeks to investigate three outstanding areas of the case.
The controversy emerged on August 15 after students reportedly confronted and assaulted the professor following allegations that he attempted to sexually assault a female student in his office.
A video of the incident later circulated on social media, showing a distressed female student leaving the professor’s office with his clothes. The professor was subsequently seen attempting to leave the university premises in a tricycle while being pursued by some individuals.
According to the university, the investigative panel, led by Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, has so far examined two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.
One of the panel’s preliminary findings concerned an examination misconduct case involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
The panel found that Professor Odinye failed to properly document and submit the examination misconduct case using the university’s prescribed report form.
It also found that a mobile phone allegedly recovered from the student during the examination was returned to her on the same day, contrary to university regulations.
Following the findings, the university referred the student’s examination misconduct matter to the Student Examination Misconduct Committee for further consideration.
UNIZIK Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, said the Vice Chancellor had extended the panel’s mandate by two weeks to allow it to conclude its investigation into the remaining issues.
The outstanding matters include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those involved in the attack on the professor and establishing whether a kidnapping incident was connected to the controversy.
The panel is expected to submit its final report and recommendations to the Vice Chancellor after completing the additional investigation.
The university said any further action, including possible criminal proceedings, would be considered after the final report is received.
Management also stressed that the investigation would be conducted fairly while measures would continue to be taken to protect the welfare of both students and staff.
It added that the institution would maintain its commitment to enforcing its regulations and professional standards.
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