The management of the Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri has suspended Desmond Izunwanne, its lecturer, for allegedly slapping some female students.
In a now-viral video, Izuwanne appeared to have hit a female student for coming late to lecture.
This was after the lady had explained that she was “coming from the hospital.”
“What is your reason? Which hospital? Everybody is coming from the hospital,” the lecturer asked.
Izuwanne seemed to have also hit another student who he said attended his class without wearing the department’s uniform.
Imo State lecturer, Dr. Desmond Izunwanne slaps a student and asks her to kneel for dressing in mufti after she already told him she was sick and was just coming from the hospital. pic.twitter.com/lw3Q8gZxtA
— GistReel.Com (@GistReel) April 29, 2023
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“What is your reason for being on mufti? Knee down,” he was heard saying.
One of the students was reportedly pregnant.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ralph Njokuobi, the university’s spokesperson, said the lecturer has now been suspended.
The university described Izuwanne’s actions as “barbaric and unbecoming”.
Njokuobi added that a three-man committee has been set up to investigate the lecturer’s “uncouth behaviour.”
“It has come to the notice of the management of the Imo State University the viral video circulating around the globe about the indecorous actions of a lecturer of the university,” the statement reads in part.
“Dr Desmond lzunwanne of the Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, against four students of the university.
“Management viewed the action of the lecturer as barbaric and unbecoming of such a person occupying that position.
“At the end of the management meeting held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, management approved the suspension of the lecturer till further notice and has set up a three-man disciplinary committee to unravel the immediate and remote causes that led to his uncouth behaviour.
“The general public and indeed all human rights organisations are hereby implored to allow the university to conduct a proper investigation and recommend appropriate sanctions where necessary in line with the staff conditions of service.
“Management will not accept any breach in the academic and moral standards expected of any lecturer irrespective of how highly he is placed in the university and sincerely believe in rules of engagement between lecturers and students.”
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