By James
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The Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, has approved the dismissal of five staff members over allegations bordering on sexual abuse, harassment, intimidation, extortion, and other serious breaches of professional ethics.
The decision, which has drawn significant attention within Nigeria’s academic and education circles, was taken during the university’s 122nd Governing Council meeting held on June 12, according to an official statement released on Sunday in Awka by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Harrison Madubueze.
The disciplinary action comes amid growing scrutiny of misconduct in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, particularly allegations involving abuse of power, exploitation of students, and unethical financial practices by academic and non-academic staff.
According to the university, those affected include senior academics and administrative personnel whose actions were found to be inconsistent with the institution’s ethical standards and code of conduct.
The dismissed staff members are Prof. C.C. Nwabachili, former Dean of the Faculty of Law; Prof. Chike Osegbue of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. I.H. Iheukwumere of the Department of Microbiology; and Mr. Emeka Nwabunnia, also of the Department of Microbiology, all based at the Uli Campus. Also affected is Mrs. Ifeoma Kakulu, a Principal Assistant Registrar who served as Examination Officer in the Faculty of Law at the time the alleged offences occurred.
While some reports initially referred to four lecturers, the official breakdown confirms that the sanctions cut across both academic and administrative cadres, bringing the total number of dismissed personnel to five.
Dr. Madubueze stated that the affected individuals were found culpable after internal disciplinary processes established violations ranging from sexual misconduct and harassment to intimidation and extortion. He noted that the Governing Council acted in line with its mandate to safeguard institutional integrity and ensure accountability within the university system.
He further emphasised that the university leadership remains committed to maintaining a safe academic environment where students and staff can operate without fear of exploitation or intimidation.
“The Council reaffirmed its stance on discipline and integrity, warning that actions capable of tarnishing the university’s reputation would attract severe consequences,” the statement read.
It also reiterated the institution’s broader vision of building a forward-looking academic environment described as a “now university and of the future,” anchored on transparency, discipline, and global best practices in higher education governance.
The development is part of a wider wave of disciplinary reforms in Nigerian universities, where governing councils have increasingly taken firm positions on misconduct cases involving senior staff. Education stakeholders have long argued that unchecked abuse of authority in tertiary institutions undermines academic credibility and weakens public trust in the system.
COOU, one of Anambra State’s prominent public universities, has in recent years worked to strengthen its internal accountability structures, particularly in areas relating to examinations, staff conduct, and student welfare.
The latest action by its Governing Council is expected to reinforce its zero-tolerance stance on ethical violations and send a strong signal across the institution’s campuses.
As reactions continue to trail the development within academic and public circles, attention is also being drawn to the need for stronger preventive systems, clearer reporting mechanisms, and more robust protections for students and whistleblowers in Nigerian universities.
For COOU, the dismissals mark one of the most significant disciplinary actions in recent years, underscoring a renewed push to restore confidence in its academic and administrative processes while reinforcing standards expected of staff in positions of trust.
