UNIZIK Suspends Prof Odinye for Three Months Over Sexual Molestation Allegation

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months following allegations of sexual molestation involving a female student.

The university management said the alleged incident amounted to a violation of its General and Academic Regulations.

The suspension, which carries half salary in the first instance, was approved by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, after a six-member special investigative panel submitted its preliminary report on August 21, 2026.

Meanwhile, the student at the centre of the matter, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, has been referred to the university’s Students Examination Misconduct Committee on the directive of the Vice Chancellor.

The controversy erupted on August 15 when Odinye was physically attacked and stripped by angry students over an allegation that he attempted to sexually molest a female student.

A viral video showed the female student emerging from the professor’s office with his clothes while alleging that he had attempted to sexually assault her.

She was heard shouting that the lecturer had tried to rape her as some people believed to be students chased Odinye after he boarded a tricycle leaving the university premises.

The lecturer was reportedly wearing an academic gown after the student allegedly left his office with his clothes.

Further footage showed several men beating Odinye and stripping him completely within the university premises. The female student was seen crying after fleeing the lecturer’s office.

According to the university’s Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, the Vice Chancellor has given the investigative panel an additional two weeks to complete its work and address all five areas contained in its terms of reference.

The panel, headed by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, considered two issues in its preliminary report and found Odinye in breach of Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations.

Attah said the professor failed to document and submit the alleged examination misconduct involving Chikamso Favour Okechukwu using the required Examination Misconduct Report Form.

He also reportedly returned the phone recovered from the student during the examination on the same day, in violation of Section 5.8.1(iv) of the university regulations.

The panel is expected to use the additional two weeks to determine the remaining three issues: whether sexual harassment occurred, the identities of those who assaulted Odinye and whether there was any case of kidnapping.

“The committee members are expected to conclude their findings with recommendations to the Vice Chancellor before a final verdict is initiated, including possible criminal prosecution,” Attah said.

He further disclosed that the Vice Chancellor had reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare of staff and students, zero tolerance for unethical conduct, transparency and fair hearing as the investigation continues.

Africans Angle News