UNIZIK expels student for assaulting Lecturer over Tiktok video

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, over her assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

This was announced on Friday in a statement by the Acting Registrar, Victor Modebelu.

Modebelu said the Acting Vice-Chancellor had received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the student’s assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies.

According to the statement, Chimamaka was found to be guilty of gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations, particularly Regulation 4.

The letter read, “The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR).

“Consequently, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University Senate, approved the Committee’s recommendation that you be expelled and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the University premises immediately and return any University property in your possession.”

The incident:

On Tuesday, it was reported that the female student, Ms Mbakwe, allegedly assaulted Mr Okoye, after he interrupted her while she was recording a video in the university corridor.

The incident happened at the Faculty of Arts building of the NAU, popularly known as UNIZIK.

Viral videos show Ms Mbakwe, a third-year History and International Studies student, recording a video when Mr Okoye, a lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts, walked past in the video, tapping her and saying “excuse me”.

The student reacted, gave him a look of disdain and told someone off her video angrily: “Can you imagine, he just hit me.”

Other viral videos show Ms Mbakwe confronting Mr Okoye, questioning his actions. The scenario escalated, drawing the attention of students and officials and turned chaotic.

The video also showed the student fighting ‘hard’ and tearing the right side of the lecturer’s brown native clothes.

She was also seen holding onto the lecturer, who appeared to be in his 50s with slightly grey hairs.

The videos, however, show that Mr Okoye did not fight back even as the student dragged him by his shirt.

Photos online also reveal deep bite marks on his arms, and another image shows Mr Okoye receiving medical treatment, reportedly at the school clinic.

The university management subsequently ordered an investigation into the incident, after it gained widespread attention