A 300-level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Goddy Mbakwe Precious, could be rusticated from the institution as Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu, demanded action on her alleged assault of a lecturer.
A video of Precious, of the Department of History and International Studies, digging her incisors into the flesh of Dr Chukwudi Okoye of the Department of Theatre Arts, recently went viral on the internet prompting the UNIZIK management to take action.
Naija Daily News gathered that the student’s mother is a senior lecturer in the institution.
The Acting Head of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol, Njelita Louis, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the altercation between the lecturer and student contravenes the university’s commitment to discipline and decorum.
Dr Okoye, in his account of the incident, said all hell broke loose when he tapped Precious on the shoulder to ask her to move from a hallway where she was making a video, ostensibly for social media.
Rather than abiding by the request, he said the female student hauled insults at him.
“I asked her to delete the video showing where I passed, but she bit me on both arms, tore my shirt, and scratched my face,” Dr Okoye said.
The student, in her account, accused the lecturer of assaulting her.
“When he pushed me, I thought it was a student, but I turned around to find it was a lecturer. He grabbed my phone and wouldn’t let go.” Precious claimed that Okoye made inappropriate physical advances, including grabbing her chest, and that she bit him in an attempt to escape the situation.
“I was mortified. I bit him to free myself,” she said.
The altercation escalated when other students intervened, and Precious claimed that Theatre Arts students approached her with weapons. University security later arrived and took her away for protection.
Meanwhile, the Acting V-C warned, stressing, “In line with our core values of discipline, self-reliance, and excellence, we are committed to a transparent and unbiased investigation. Appropriate actions and sanctions will be taken based on the outcome.”
The university assured the public that it upholds high moral and ethical standards, emphasizing: “There is no place for indiscipline or unacceptable behaviour within our community.”
