In a move to stem rising cases of sex scandal in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, students of the Paul University, Awka, Anambra State go tough on randy lecturers
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
These are the worst of times for a high-ranking Anglican priest and senior lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, Venerable Cornelius C. Eze, who has been suspended by the management of the institution over allegations of sexual misconduct and commenced an investigation into the matter.
Venerable Eze, a Practical Biology, Technologist was placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of the University’s internal disciplinary process and investigations by relevant security agencies.
The suspension was contained in a statement issued on Friday, July 17, 2026 and signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Rev. Godisplan Onuorah.
According to the institution, the allegations were reported to the University management on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after which immediate steps were taken to address the situation.
The University said it invited the appropriate security agencies to handle the matter in order to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order following tension that reportedly erupted among students.
It stressed that the suspension was only a preliminary administrative action and should not be interpreted as a confirmation of guilt, adding that it was carried out without prejudice to the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The development, Tentacle investigations, revealed followed the circulation of a video on social media allegedly showing a man said to be the suspended staff member leaving his office on campus wearing only shorts during a commotion.
Reports claimed the incident occurred after the staff member was allegedly confronted by students and members of the University community over compromising situations.
However, the University did not make any reference to the video or confirm details surrounding the alleged incident.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining ethical standards, Paul University said it operates a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse of office, immoral behaviour and any acts capable of threatening the safety and dignity of members of the University community.
The institution added that anyone found guilty of violating its regulation or Nigerian laws would face appropriate disciplining measures after due process.
The University also disclosed that it has made counseling and psychological support arrangements for affected students and other members of the community.
It appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of interfering with the investigations, assuring parents, students and staff of its commitment to providing a safe and morally responsible learning environment.
In a related development, the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka, Anambra State, has condemned the August 15, 2026 physical confrontation which broke out on campus after a female student accused a lecturer of attempted sexual misconduct in his office, leading to an altercation where the lecturer was recorded and attacked.
The management condemned the physical assault and mob action/self help by students, noting that institutional procedures must handle disciplinary issues.
The school authorities noted that the security agencies have stepped in to look at the criminal and violent dimension of the physical attack of Professor Ifeanyi Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies.
The Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie has also set up a high power committee to investigate the root causes, examines the videos and assign accountability. The VC reiterated that no one found culpable of this serious misconduct or sexual harassment will go unpunished.
A source who pleaded anonymity told Tentacle that the embattled professor, Odinye is happily married and his wife is also a professor at the University. He is also reported to be one of the youngest professors at the University, is known to be strict, no-nonsense lecturer who takes his work seriously.
