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 was approved after a six-member investigative panel submitted its preliminary report to the university management on August 21, 2026.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie, approved the disciplinary measure, placing Odinye on half salary throughout the period of the suspension.
According to the university, the action followed preliminary findings of breaches of its General and Academic Regulations. However, the university stressed that the investigation into the sexual assault allegation remains ongoing.
The controversy erupted on August 15 after Odinye was reportedly attacked and stripped by angry students following an allegation that he attempted to sexually assault a female student in his office.
A video of the incident subsequently went viral on social media, showing a distressed female student emerging from the professor’s office carrying his clothes.
Odinye was later seen attempting to leave the university premises in a tricycle while some individuals pursued him.
The investigative panel, headed 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.
In its preliminary findings, the panel established that Odinye breached university regulations in connection with an examination misconduct case involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
The panel found that the professor failed to document and submit the alleged examination misconduct case using the prescribed university report form.
It also established that a mobile phone allegedly recovered from the student during the examination was returned to her the same day, contrary to university regulations.
Following the findings, the university referred Okechukwu’s examination misconduct case to the Student Examination Misconduct Committee for further consideration.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, disclosed that the Vice Chancellor had granted the panel an additional two weeks to conclude investigations into the remaining three issues.
The outstanding matters include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those involved in the alleged attack on Odinye, 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 management said any further disciplinary action, including possible criminal proceedings, would be considered after receiving the panel’s final report.
It stressed that the investigation would be conducted fairly while prioritising the welfare and rights of both staff and students.
The institution also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing its rules and professional standards and taking appropriate action against conduct found to violate them.
