By Our Reporter
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has approved the suspension of a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months with half salary at the first instance.
The suspension followed the preliminary findings and recommendations of a six-member Special Investigative Panel constituted by the university to investigate allegations of kidnapping, assault and examination misconduct 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 preliminary report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, August 21, 2026.
According to a statement by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, the panel’s preliminary report addressed two of its five terms of reference.
The panel indicted Prof. Odinye for allegedly contravening Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations (GAR) by failing to record and submit an examination misconduct case involving a student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
The panel also found that the lecturer allegedly returned to the student, on the same day, the mobile phone recovered from her during the examination, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s regulations.
Based on the recommendations, the Vice-Chancellor approved Prof. Odinye’s three-month suspension with half salary at the first instance.
The university management also directed that Okechukwu be referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Panel for appropriate consideration of her alleged examination misconduct.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor has extended the tenure of the Special Investigative Panel by another two weeks to enable it to complete its assignment and address the remaining three issues contained in its terms of reference.
The outstanding issues include determining whether there was sexual harassment, identifying those allegedly involved in the assault on Prof. Odinye and establishing whether any incident of kidnapping occurred in connection with the matter.
The panel is expected to submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor after completing its extended assignment. The university said a final decision, including possible criminal prosecution where necessary, would be considered based on the panel’s findings.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of staff and students, maintaining zero tolerance for unethical practices and upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing.
