The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months over alleged sexual molestation of a female student.
The suspension, approved by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie, followed the preliminary report of a six-member investigative panel set up to examine the incident. Odinye will receive half salary during the suspension.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Aloysius Attah, said the panel had also indicted Odinye for alleged violations of the university’s examination regulations involving the student.
Attah said the Vice Chancellor extended the panel’s mandate by two weeks to enable it complete its investigation, including determining whether sexual harassment occurred and identifying those involved in the assault on the professor.
He said the committee would submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice Chancellor, after which a final decision would be taken, including possible criminal prosecution.
The university said it remained committed to staff and student welfare, transparency and fair hearing.
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