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 an allegation of sexual assault involving a female student.
The suspension came after a six member investigative panel submitted its preliminary report on August 21, 2026. The decision was approved by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie.
Odinye is to serve the suspension on half salary, with the university citing alleged breaches of its General and Academic Regulations.
The institution, however, stated that its investigation into the sexual assault allegation is still ongoing. The panel has been given another two weeks to examine three unresolved aspects of the matter.
The controversy began on August 15 when students reportedly confronted and assaulted the professor following an allegation that he attempted to sexually assault a female student in his office.
A video of the incident subsequently circulated on social media, appearing to show a distressed female student leaving the professor’s office carrying his clothes. The professor was later seen trying to leave the university in a tricycle as some individuals pursued him.
The university said the investigative panel, headed by Professor Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, had so far considered two of the five issues outlined in its terms of reference.
One of the preliminary findings involved an examination misconduct matter concerning the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.
The panel found that Odinye did not properly document or submit the examination misconduct case using the university’s prescribed report form.
It also determined that a mobile phone allegedly recovered from the student during the examination was returned to her on the same day, contrary to the institution’s regulations.
Based on the findings, the university referred the student’s examination misconduct case to the Student Examination Misconduct Committee for further review.
UNIZIK Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, said the Vice Chancellor had extended the panel’s mandate by two weeks to enable it to complete its investigation into the outstanding issues.
Those issues include establishing whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying the individuals involved in the attack on the professor and determining whether an alleged kidnapping incident was connected to the controversy.
The panel is expected to submit its final report and recommendations to the Vice Chancellor once the additional investigation is concluded.
The university said further measures, including possible criminal proceedings, would be considered after receiving the final report.
Management also assured that the investigation would be conducted fairly and that steps would continue to be taken to safeguard the welfare of students and staff.
The university reiterated its commitment to upholding its regulations and professional standards.
