The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, for three months with half salary over alleged violations of the institution’s General and Academic Regulations.

The university said the sanction followed the submission of a preliminary report by a six-member Special Investigative Panel set up to examine allegations arising from an incident involving the lecturer and a female student, which was captured in a viral video.

The panel, chaired by the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma, submitted its preliminary report to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, August 21, 2026.

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

The university said Odinye was found to have contravened Section 5.8.3 of its General and Academic Regulations by failing to properly document and submit an examination misconduct case involving the student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu.

The panel also found that the lecturer returned to the student, on the same day, a mobile phone recovered during the examination, allegedly in violation of Section 5.8.1(iv) of the regulations.

As a result, the Vice-Chancellor approved Odinye’s suspension for three months on half salary in the first instance.

The student involved in the incident has also been referred to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee for further consideration.

However, the panel deferred determination of the allegation of sexual harassment against Odinye, saying further investigation was required to establish the facts.

The university said the panel’s remaining three issues would be addressed during a two-week extension granted by the Vice-Chancellor.

The outstanding issues include whether sexual harassment occurred, the identities of those involved in the alleged assault on Odinye, and whether there was any incident of kidnapping connected to the matter.

The university said the panel would submit its final findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor, after which a final decision, including possible criminal prosecution, could be considered.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the administration’s commitment to staff and student welfare, zero tolerance for unethical practices, transparency and fair hearing.