A Nigerian lecturer, Desmond Izunwanne has been suspended for slapping a female student.
Izunwanne, was slammed with indefinite suspension by the management of the Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Confirming the development in the statement, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ralph Njoku-Obi, described the lecturer’s action as “uncouth, barbaric and unbecoming”.
In a now-viral video, Izuwanne appeared to have hit a female student for coming late to lecture.
This was after the lady had explained that she was “coming from the hospital. What is your reason? Which hospital? Everybody is coming from the hospital,” the lecturer asked.
Izuwanne seemed to have also hit another student who he said attended his class without wearing the department’s uniform.
“What is your reason for being on mufti? Knee down,” he was heard saying.
One of the students was reportedly pregnant.
The school announcing his suspension said; “It has come to the notice of the Management of Imo State University, the viral video circulating around the globe, about the indecorous action of a lecturer of the University, Dr. Desmond Izunwanne, of the Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of Imo State University, Owerri, against four students of the University.
“Management viewed the action of the lecturer as barbaric and unbecoming of such a person occupying that position.
“At the end of Management meeting, held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Management approved the suspension of the lecturer, Dr. Desmond Izunwanne, till further notice and has set up a three-man Disciplinary Committee, to unravel the immediate and remote causes that led to his uncouth behaviour.
“The general public and indeed, all Human Right Organizations, are hereby implored to allow the University to conduct a proper investigation and recommend appropriate sanctions, where necessary, in line with the staff conditions of service.
“Management will not accept any breach in the academic and moral standards expected of any lecturer, irrespective of how highly he is placed in the University and sincerely believe in rules of engagement, between lecturers and students. The University is on top of the game, as it affects the matter under review.”
