UNIZIK Suspends Prof. Odinye for Three Months, Refers Student to Examination Misconduct Panel
By Chizoba Njaka
The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for three months with half salary at the first instance, following the preliminary report of a six-man Special Investigative Panel set up to investigate allegations of kidnapping, assault and examination misconduct involving staff and students of the department.
This was contained in a statement signed by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, on Aug. 24, following the submission of the panel’s preliminary report on Aug. 21. According to the statement, the panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, considered two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference in its preliminary report.
The statement said the panel found Prof. Odinye to have contravened Section 5.8.3 of the university’s General and Academic Regulations (GAR) by failing to document and submit the alleged examination misconduct case involving student Chikamso Favour Okechukwu on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form. It further alleged that Prof. Odinye returned to the student, on the same day, a mobile phone recovered during the examination, contrary to Section 5.8.1(iv) of the university’s GAR.
The university management has consequently referred Okechukwu to the Students Examination Misconduct Committee for appropriate consideration of the examination-related allegations.
The statement further disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, had extended the duration of the Special Investigative Panel by another two weeks to enable it complete its assignment and address the remaining three issues in its terms of reference.
The outstanding issues include determining whether there was sexual harassment, identifying the persons 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 at the end of the extended period. According to the statement, the final outcome may guide further action, including possible criminal prosecution.
The Vice-Chancellor, the statement added, 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.
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