The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has explained how a decision was reached to expel a student, Precious Mbakwe, from the institution following a violent clash she had with a lecturer, Dr Chukwudi Okoye.
It would be recalled that Mbakwe was seen in viral clips attacking the lecturer after he interrupted her video recording on a walkway in the institution.
According to Dr Okoye, he saw the student on the walkway and he tapped her to allow him pass, but she muttered something that he found insulting. He said he went back to her to demand that she delete the video where he appeared and he reached for her phone, a move the student resisted violently.
In the ensuing altercation, the student bit the lecturer twice and slapped him as other students tried to restrain her.
In her own account, she said she was not aware he was a lecturer and that she found it offensive that he touched her.
She admitted muttering something to her friend who was there with her to the effect that she was shocked by the lecturer’s behaviour.
She alleged that as she was talking with her friend the lecturer came from behind and tried to collect her phone which she resisted.
Mbakwe further alleged that Dr Okoye held her top and breast during the confrontation.
The university management set up a committee to investigate the incident and at the end of the investigation the committee recommended expulsion of the student.
In an update issued by the Acting Head, Information, Public Relations and Protocol, Njelita Louis O. the school said the two actors, Dr Okoye and Precious Mbakwe were given a fair hearing by the disciplinary committee set up to investigate the incident.
The statement stressed that Precious Mbakwe’s expulsion stemmed from the findings and recommendations of the disciplinary committee.
The institution emphasized its commitment to maintaining its integrity.
The school said the act committed by Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious was deemed a gross misconduct and a violation of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Students Disciplinary Regulations, particularly Regulation 4.
