Students Respond to Lecturer's Alleged Sexual Assault

Last Saturday, upset students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka attacked and stripped a lecturer from the Department of Chinese Studies. This was over claims that he tried to sexually assault a female student.

NAU, also known as UNIZIK, is located in Anambra State.

PREMIUM TIMES found out that the incident happened after the female student left the lecturer’s office in distress. She alleged that he tried to sexually molest her while they were alone in his office.

A viral video clip shows at least six male students hitting and stomping on the lecturer, who was fully stripped in a public area of the university.

The female student was seen crying and reportedly ran out of the lecturer’s office. She claimed to have pretended to agree to the sexual encounter until the lecturer had taken off most of his clothes.

Investigation

The management of UNIZIK has condemned the attack and stripping of the lecturer.

In a statement released on Saturday night, the university's spokesman, Aloysius Attah, said that an investigation has been ordered into the incident that took place on campus.

“Management is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident and strongly condemns the resort to violence, self-help, or any form of jungle justice under any circumstance.

“Given the seriousness of the matter, the university management has directed that an immediate, comprehensive and impartial investigation be conducted to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

Attah also mentioned that the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Ugochukwu Anyaehie, a professor, has always stressed the university’s zero-tolerance policy against sexual misconduct, harassment, and all forms of inappropriate behaviour.

“At the same time, management emphasises that allegations of misconduct must be handled through established institutional procedures and due process.

“No individual or group is permitted to take the law into their own hands within the university environment,” he said.

The spokesman highlighted that “appropriate administrative processes” have begun to ensure “justice is served fairly and objectively to all parties involved.”

He added that the university is committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of its staff and students. They will continue to take strong action against any behaviour that breaches these principles.

“Further pronouncements and developments on the matter shall be communicated in due course,” he assured.

Like UNIZIK, like Paul University

The alleged sexual assault at UNIZIK took place just a month after a neighbouring private university, Paul University, also in Awka, suspended one of its lecturers, Cornelius Eze, over claims of “serious sexual misconduct.”

A viral video clip had also appeared on social media showing a university lecturer reportedly caught forcefully engaging with an unidentified student in his office.

In that clip, the lecturer was said to have escaped through a window when angry students burst into his office. The video showed a man in shorts trying to hide in a bush nearby.