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The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months over allegations of sexual harassment involving a female student.
The university said the suspension followed the recommendations of a six-member special investigative panel set up to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, said Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, approved the suspension with half salary, following the submission of the panel’s preliminary report on August 21, 2026.
The student involved, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, has also been referred to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee, according to the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.
The development followed an incident on August 15 in which Odinye was physically assaulted and stripped by some students following allegations that he attempted to sexually molest the student.
A video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, showed the female student leaving the lecturer’s office carrying his clothes and alleging that he had attempted to sexually assault her.
The footage also showed several individuals pursuing the lecturer as he boarded a tricycle and left the university premises. In another segment, some men were seen assaulting and stripping him on the university grounds.
However, the university said its investigative process was still ongoing and that a final determination had yet to be made on the sexual harassment allegation.
According to Attah, the Vice-Chancellor has extended the mandate of the investigative panel by two weeks to enable it to complete its assignment and address all five areas contained in its terms of reference.
The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, addressed two of the five issues in its preliminary report.
The panel found that Odinye contravened Sections 5.8.3 and 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s General and Academic Regulations in connection with an examination misconduct case involving Okechukwu.
It alleged that the professor failed to record and submit the examination misconduct case through the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form and returned an offending mobile phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day, contrary to university regulations.
Attah said the remaining issues to be determined by the panel include whether sexual harassment occurred, the identities of those involved in the assault on Odinye and whether there was any incident of kidnapping connected with the matter.
“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,” the PRO said.
The university management, he added, reiterated its commitment to the welfare of staff and students, as well as its policy of zero tolerance for unethical practices.
The Vice-Chancellor also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency, due process and fair hearing as the investigation continues.
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