Unizik SexGate: Lecturer Suspended Three Months, Student Face Exam Malpractice Panel
Prof. Ifeanyi Ofonye of the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has been suspended for three months and half salary for allegedly harassing a student sexually.
This was contained in an Interim Report of a special panel set up to investigate alleged incidents of kidnapping, assault and examination misconduct involving staff and students of the Department of Chinese Studies.
Recall that Odinye was recently stripped naked and assaulted by yet to be identified thugs following an allegation of sexual exploration of a female student who was caught in examination malpractice.
Mr Aloysius Emeka Attah, Director, Information and Public Relations of the institution in a Statement issued on Monday said the recommendation had been approved by the management of the University.
He said the Vice Chancellor of NAU Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie has approved that Odinye be placed on half salary during the duration of the suspension as recommended by a preliminary report submitted on Aug. 21.
It the student involved in the incident, Chikamso Okechukwu, was referred to the student’s examination misconduct committee
“The Vice Chancellor has also extended the duration of the committee for another two weeks to enable the team complete their assignment and address in full, their five point terms of reference.
“The Panel, Chaired by Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, in their preliminary report indicted Prof Odinye for contravening Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations (GAR) of NAU.
“He not only failed to record and submit the case of examination misconduct against Okechukwu but gave back the phone recovered during the examination to the student in total disregard to section 5.8.1(iv) of the GAR,” he said.
Attah said other issues for determination by the committee included whether there was sexual harassment, identities of the persons involved in the assault meted to Odinye and whether there was any incident of kidnapping in the matter
He said the committee was expected to conclude its findings with recommendations to the within two weeks before a final verdict including possible criminal prosecution.
