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, following the preliminary findings of a Special Investigative Panel set up to examine allegations arising from an incident involving staff and students of the department.
The university said the decision was approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, after the six-member panel submitted its preliminary report on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, examined two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference in the preliminary report.
According to a statement signed by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, MNIPR, Prof. Odinye was indicted for violating provisions of the university’s General and Academic Regulations (GAR) relating to the handling of examination misconduct.
The panel found that the lecturer failed to record and submit an alleged examination misconduct case involving a student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, using the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
It further found that Prof. Odinye returned to the student, on the same day, the mobile phone allegedly recovered during the examination, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s regulations.
The university said the alleged violations contravened Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations, prompting the Vice-Chancellor to approve the three-month suspension with half salary in the first instance.
Meanwhile, Okechukwu has been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further consideration of the allegations against her.
The Vice-Chancellor has also extended the mandate of the Special Investigative Panel by another two weeks to enable it complete its remaining assignments and address all five issues contained in its terms of reference.
The outstanding issues include determining “whether there was sexual harassment, identities of the persons involved in the assault meted to Prof. Odinye and whether there was any incident of kidnapping in the matter.”
The university said the panel is expected to submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor at the end of the extended period.
It added that the final outcome could determine whether further disciplinary measures or possible criminal prosecution would be initiated.
Reaffirming the administration’s position on the matter, the university said the Vice-Chancellor remained committed to protecting the welfare of both staff and students while maintaining strict standards of professional and ethical conduct.
“The Vice Chancellor reiterates the stance of his administration’s prioritisation of staff/student’s welfare and zero tolerance to unethical practices while upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing,” Attah stated.
The university stressed that the preliminary findings do not constitute a final determination on all the allegations, as the panel is still expected to conclude investigations into the outstanding issues before submitting its final recommendations.
