UNIZIK Approves Three-Month Suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Odinye, Refers Student to Examination Misconduct Panel

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, for three months with half salary on the first instance.

The suspension followed the preliminary recommendations of the six-member Special Investigative Panel, which submitted its report on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The student involved in the incident, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, has also been referred to the University’s Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee in accordance with the directive of the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor has further extended the duration of the Special Investigative Panel by two weeks to enable it to complete its assignment and fully address the five-point terms of reference given to it.

The panel, chaired by the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, considered two of the five issues in its preliminary report.

The panel indicted Prof. Odinye for contravening Section 5.8.3 of the General and Academic Regulations (GAR) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

According to the preliminary report, Prof. Odinye failed to record and submit the alleged examination misconduct case involving Chikamso Favour Okechukwu on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.

The panel also found that he returned the offending phone recovered during the examination to the student on the same day, in disregard of Section 5.8.1(iv) of the General and Academic Regulations.

The remaining three issues to be determined by the panel within the additional two-week period are:

• Whether there was sexual harassment
• The identities of the persons involved in the assault allegedly meted out to Prof. Odinye
• Whether there was any incident of kidnapping in the matter

The panel is expected to conclude its findings and submit recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor before a final decision is reached, including the possibility of initiating criminal prosecution where appropriate.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of staff and students and maintaining zero tolerance for unethical practices.

He also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and fair hearing throughout the process.