UNIZIK Suspends Lecturer for Three Months Over Examination Misconduct Case

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Professor Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months over alleged breaches of the institution’s General and Academic Regulations.

The suspension, which carries half salary, followed the submission of an interim report by a six-member Special Investigative Panel set up to examine allegations arising from an incident involving the lecturer and a female student.

The incident was captured in a video that later went viral. Reports surrounding the episode included claims that Odinye confronted the student over alleged examination malpractice and that he was subsequently assaulted and stripped by suspected students.

The university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Emeka Attah, said the panel submitted its preliminary report to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, was established to investigate five issues connected to the incident.

According to the university, the interim report addressed two of the issues contained in the panel’s terms of reference.

The panel found Odinye liable for failing to properly document and submit the examination misconduct case involving the student, identified as Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, in accordance with university regulations.

It also found that the lecturer returned a phone allegedly recovered from the student during the examination on the same day, contrary to provisions of the institution’s General and Academic Regulations.

The university said the findings formed the basis for the three-month suspension and half-salary sanction imposed on the professor.

However, the panel has not reached a final conclusion on the allegation of sexual harassment connected to the incident. The university said the matter remains under investigation and that further inquiries are required to establish the facts.

The remaining issues before the panel include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying the individuals involved in the assault against Odinye and establishing whether there was any incident of kidnapping.

The university has extended the panel’s tenure by two weeks to enable it to complete its investigation and submit its recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor.

The student involved in the incident has also been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.

UNIZIK said the panel would complete its findings and make recommendations before the university reaches a final decision on the broader matter.

The institution added that criminal prosecution could follow, depending on the outcome of the investigations and the evidence established by the relevant authorities.

The development has attracted attention because it involves allegations of examination misconduct, assault and sexual harassment within a university environment. However, the university has yet to make a final determination on the sexual harassment allegation or identify those responsible for the reported assault.

UNIZIK management reiterated its commitment to the welfare of staff and students, transparency and fair hearing. It also restated its zero-tolerance position on unethical practices.

For now, the suspension relates to the lecturer’s handling of the examination misconduct case and alleged breaches of university regulations, while the other allegations remain subject to the ongoing investigation.