The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months with half salary over alleged contravention of the university’s General and Academic Regulations.
Odinye was a week ago stripped by suspected students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, for allegedly attempting to take advantage of a female student whom he had previously caught engaging in examination malpractice.
The professor’s suspension followed the submission of an interim report of a six-man panel set up by the university to investigate allegations arising from the incident, which was captured in a now-viral video.
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.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, MNIPR, the panel’s preliminary report addressed two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.
While he was sanctioned for not reporting the incident of malpractice involving the student, the panel, however, deferred consideration of the allegation of sexual harassment against the don, saying further investigations were required to establish the facts surrounding the allegation.
The statement by the institution’s PRO read in full: “The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for a period of three (3) months with half salary in the first instance, following the recommendations of the six-man Special Investigative Panel, which submitted its preliminary report on Friday, 21st August 2026.
“The student involved in the unfortunate incident, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, according to the directive of the Vice-Chancellor, has been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee.
“The Vice-Chancellor has also extended the duration of the committee for another two weeks to enable the team to complete its assignment and address in full its five-point terms of reference.
“The panel, chaired by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, in its preliminary report, which dealt with two issues out of the five for determination, indicted Prof. Odinye for contravening Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations (GAR) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by not only failing to record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Chikamso Favour Okechukwu on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form but also returning the offending phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day in total disregard of Section 5.8.1(iv) of the GAR.
“The other three issues for determination by the committee, which shall be addressed within the two-week extended timeframe, include ‘whether there was sexual harassment, the identities of the persons involved in the assault meted out to Prof. Odinye and whether there was any incident of kidnapping in the matter’.
“The committee members are expected to conclude their findings with recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor before a final verdict is reached and possible criminal prosecution is initiated.
“The Vice-Chancellor reiterates the stance of his administration’s prioritisation of staff/students’ welfare and zero tolerance for unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing.”