Imo varsity lecturer suspended for slapping female students

The Imo State University, Owerri, has suspended a lecturer in Physiology Department, Desmond Izunwanne, indefinitely for allegedly slapping four female students who arrived at a class session behind schedule.

The lecturer was also said to have slapped the students for attending a lecture in a non-departmental uniform.

The university spokesperson, Ralph Njokuobi, made this known via a statement issued on Wednesday, May 3.

Njokuobi noted that Izunwanne’s suspension was approved at the university’s management meeting, adding that the lecturer’s action was “barbaric and unbecoming”.

He stated that a three-man disciplinary committee has been set up to unravel the incident that led to the lecturer’s “uncouth behaviour”.

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“It has come to the notice of the Management of the Imo State University that the viral video circulating around the globe about the indecorous actions of a lecturer of the university, Dr Desmond lzunwanne of the Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of the Imo State University, Owerri, against four students of the university.

“Management viewed the action of the lecturer as barbaric and unbecoming of such a person occupying that position.

“At the end of the management meeting held on Tuesday 2 May 2023, management approved the suspension of the lecturer, Dr Desmond lzunwanne, till further notice and has set up a three-man disciplinary committee to unravel the immediate and remote causes that led to his uncouth behaviour,” the university spokesman said.

Njokuobi added that the university management will not accept “any breach in the academic and moral standards expected of any lecturer irrespective of how highly he is placed in the university and sincerely believe in rules of engagement between lecturers and students.”

“The university is on top of the game as it affects the matter under review,” he noted.

The Star