The suspension followed an incident involving the lecturer and a female student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, which sparked controversy after a video of the incident went viral.
Odinye was reportedly stripped by suspected students after allegations emerged that he attempted to take advantage of Okechukwu, whom he had earlier caught allegedly engaging in examination malpractice.
Following the incident, the university set up a six-member Special Investigative Panel on August 21, 2026, to probe the allegations surrounding the matter.
In a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, the institution said the panel had submitted a preliminary report after considering two of the five issues contained in its terms of reference.
The panel found that Odinye returned a phone allegedly recovered from the student during an examination to her on the same day, an action said to be contrary to the university’s regulations.
Based on the findings, the Vice-Chancellor approved the lecturer’s suspension for three months, with half salary throughout the period.
However, the panel said it had yet to conclude its investigation into the sexual harassment allegation against the lecturer, noting that further investigation was needed to establish the facts.
The remaining issues before the panel include determining whether sexual harassment occurred, identifying those involved in the assault on Prof. Odinye, and establishing whether any kidnapping took place during the incident.
The university has consequently extended the investigation by another two weeks to allow the panel conclude its assignment and address all five issues in its terms of reference.
Meanwhile, Okechukwu has been referred to the university’s Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor over the alleged examination malpractice.
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