Unizik VC sacks lecturer, Afam Ezeaku over sexual harassment

The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, has fired Mr Afam Ezeaku, a lecturer in the faculty of Law. The move comes in response to a complaint of sexual harassment against Ezeaku.

Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Public Relations and Special Duties, made this announcement via a press release issued to journalists on Friday.

Contrary to media reports that cited student protests against sexual harassment within the university, Ojukwu clarified that no such protests had occurred on the campus. However, an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual harassment involving certain lecturers was confirmed.

In response to the allegations, the Vice Chancellor took swift action by immediately relieving the accused lecturers of their official positions. Strong warning letters were issued to the individuals concerned within their respective departments.

The challenge faced by the university is the reluctance of the students who brought forth the allegations to testify before the investigation panel.

To address this issue comprehensively, the Vice Chancellor convened a meeting with the affected departments. During this gathering, he conveyed the university’s strong disapproval of such behavior and cautioned both lecturers and staff against engaging in actions that could tarnish the institution’s reputation.

The Vice Chancellor made it clear that stringent disciplinary measures would be taken against any staff members found guilty of misconduct, particularly those involved in molestation or sexual harassment of students.

“It is important to state that there was no protest of any sort in the university.

“However, there is an ongoing investigation concerning alleged sexual harassment by some lecturers. The Vice Chancellor immediately removed the affected lecturers from their official positions and issued those affected strong warning letters in the affected departments,” he said.

He said the handicap of the university is that the students who alleged sexual harassment were not forthcoming to testify before the investigation panel.

Ojukwu said: “The Vice Chancellor has therefore made a dedicated telephone number available to enable students report all forms of harassment by staff especially sexual harassment.

“He further assured students of the renewed determination of the university to protect them and treat all forms of allegations of sexual harassment with the seriousness it deserves and confidentially.”