Police arrests UNN lecturer for impregnating student | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
16th February 2021
Crack Squad of the Enugu State Police Command Police Command has arrested Dr Chigozie Odum for allegedly impregnating a female student.
Odum is a senior lecturer with the Department of Archeology and Tourism, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
It is alleged that he had impregnated four students in the space of four years as well.
His arrest follows a petition from the family lawyer of a female student of the university identified as Onah Chinyere, who he supposedly impregnated.
Her family lawyer Fabian Ugwuama, while briefing journalists in Enugu on Monday, said that the family had written petitions and reminders to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of UNN concerning the unprofessional conduct of Dr Odum.
He said: “after the letter sent to UNN, for months we have not heard from the institution’s authorities. Our brief further showed that the said Dr Odum approached his client, a student in the department he lectures, demanded to be sleeping with her and threatened her that if she refuses, she will never graduate from the said department.
According to the petition, the lecturer had bragged about being a cultist and threatened to harm the student should his sexual advances be declined.
It is also alleged that the lecturer called the student to his house and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.
“Meanwhile, the family had written a petition to the authorities of the UNN over the matter, they were yet to get any response and it was copied to the UNN VC, the HOD of the lecturer’s department and Servicom.
“There was no response until the ultimatum given by the family elapsed. This was said to have prompted the petition to the police and his arrest,’’ he said.
He said that all efforts made earlier to get Dr Odom take responsibility, settle amicably and protect himself, his family and UNN from the present embarrassment proved abortive.
He said, “From the police, we will also go to court for civil claims to ensure that this girl’s rights are remedied.
“Unfortunately, the lecturer after the despicable act and not on any day asked after his impregnated student or her baby is now trying to claim the child by force, threatening every member of the family, but we are not going to let that happen,’’ he added.
Authorities at the UNN have suspended Odum.
This is coming after the lecturer allegedly impregnated four students of the institution within his four years of being appointed as a lecturer.
His suspension was signed by the deputy registrar of the institution, Achiuwa. F. C (MRS) for the Registrar.
In the suspension letter, the suspended lecturer was asked to stay away from his duties until the conclusion of investigation and verdict is issued by management on the matter.
He has been equally placed on half salary within the period of the investigations.