Education

UNIZIK dismisses, suspends lecturers, students for misconduct

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) in Anambra State has suspended no fewer than 14 academic and non-academic staff, as well as students for various misconducts and offences.

This was made known in a statement issued by the UNIZIK Special Adviser, Public Relations and Special Duties, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

Ojukwu disclosed that four lecturers were indicted of various offences, including extortion of students who successfully completed their courses.

One of the lecturers was dismissed for using a student to extort money from other students, while a lecturer in the Department of History and International Relations was also dismissed after he was indicted of falsification of results and grades in favour of a student.

The implicated students were also sanctioned by the UNIZIK management.

Ojukwu stated: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has taken disciplinary actions against the following staff and students for various offences.

“Principal Executive Officer 11 abandoned his duty post for a considerable length of time. As a result, he was indicted for gross misconduct and suspended from duty for six months to serve as a deterrent to other officers

“Senior Executive Officer was indicted for fraudulent financial transaction concerning the university. She was suspended for six months on half salary.

“Examination Officer in the Department of History and International Relations was indicted for clearing and graduating a student who had 12 outstanding courses. He admitted that he committed the offence and was therefore found guilty of falsification of results and grades in favour of the said student and was dismissed from the services of the university following the appropriate procedure.

“Two lecturers in the Faculty of Education were indicted for sorting, obtaining money from students in exchange for unmerited scores. They are suspended from duty following the appropriate procedure.

“The students who were used for the collection of money were suspended for one academic year and one student was expelled from the university for financial fraud, swindling fellow students, exploitation and deliberate refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

“Another lecturer was indicted for sorting for grades and using a student to collect money from students.

“The lecturer brazenly listed names of students who passed his courses as having failed with the sole purpose of extorting them. The panel recommended him for dismissal as he was described as ‘unfit’ for the university.”

The Star