UNIZIK suspends Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye on half salary over alleged misconduct as panel probes viral student incident

• UNIZIK has suspended Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye for three months with half salary after a preliminary investigation into allegations surrounding his viral encounter with a female student.
• The university said the sexual harassment allegation is still under investigation, while the panel has been given an additional two weeks to determine whether the allegation occurred and address other issues linked to the incident.

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 amid an investigation into alleged sexual harassment and other violations.

The suspension followed a viral video involving Odinye and a female student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu. The incident reportedly occurred after allegations that the lecturer attempted to take advantage of the student, whom he had previously caught engaging in examination malpractice.

Following the development, the university constituted a six-member Special Investigative Panel on Friday, August 21, 2026, to investigate the allegations surrounding the incident.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, MNIPR, the panel’s preliminary report considered two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.

The panel found that Odinye returned to Okechukwu the phone allegedly recovered from her during an examination on the same day, contrary to university regulations.

Based on the finding, the Vice-Chancellor approved the lecturer’s suspension for three months, with half salary during the period.

However, the panel deferred consideration of the sexual harassment allegation against Odinye, stating that further investigation was required to establish the facts surrounding the claim.

The university said the remaining issues to be investigated include whether sexual harassment occurred, the identities of those involved in the assault on Prof. Odinye and whether any kidnapping took place during the incident.

The investigation has therefore been extended by another two weeks to enable the panel to complete its assignment and address all five issues in its terms of reference.

Meanwhile, Okechukwu has been referred to the university’s Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.

The development has generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the suspension and others calling for the university to thoroughly investigate the allegations.

@Victor Paris: If I’m a lecturer, I will have a hotel in my office 😏😏

@Santo Rini: If u dey that school. Sha go dey read your book like this cause exam settings na la hot next session 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

@Amara Esther: Imagine someone’s husband trending for the wrong reason. As I no bring shame to anybody, nobody will bring shame to me

@Nk Onwupelonye: why is this allegation common with university lecturers, are they lacking self control or is it part of their employment requirements

@Hukk Max: 30 months should have been given to the hegoat

@Goodname Goodname: The law should deal with him severely, ev!) man. The student needs psychological support

@Sa Lly: See him mumu face

@Abika Uzoma Francis: Gbam

@Pacino Alexander: Professor Amuritus

@Chee Mary Ervin: Been happening since forever.

@Aninwatu Victor Ogbonna: Suspension?…are they not supposed to sack him?

@Christo De Khef: Omo ehhhhh

@Ogonna Tallest: I heard about this man,He is the Minister of Knacking Affairs in Unizik,He dey use Teeth Remove Pants Allegedly!!

@Chinedu C Anyanwu: It’s becoming too much of some of these lecturers

@Jay Mbewe: Him do am trur true