According to reports, the conflict began when Dr. Chukwudi Michael, a lecturer, interrupted a student while she was recording a TikTok video on Tuesday at the Faculty of Arts.
This led to a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with the student allegedly biting the lecturer on his wrist and arm.
Witnesses say the student was dancing in the corridor while someone recorded her. As the lecturer passed by, he tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me.” The student, apparently displeased, reacted angrily, saying, “Can you imagine how he just hit me?”
Things escalated from there, with the student grabbing the lecturer’s clothes as onlookers attempted to intervene.
Videos of the incident circulating online show the student holding onto the lecturer, who remained passive while raising his hands, seemingly to show he wasn’t fighting back.
Photos from the scene also show bite marks on the lecturer’s arms and him receiving treatment at the school clinic.
Dr. Chukwudi Michael, in a statement shared widely on social media, claimed that after passing the student, he overheard her insulting him.
The UNIZK lecturer said he turned back to verify if she was one of his students and asked her to delete the video where he appeared.
According to him, this led to the student attacking him. He alleged that she bit him twice, tore his clothes, slapped him, and scratched his face.
He maintained that he remained calm throughout the ordeal and later reported the matter to the school’s security office where she allegedly accused him of sexual assault.
Michael said, “My theatre arts people, I had just left hall 19, where Dr Ebekue (another lecturer) was teaching. Walking along the passage, I saw a girl doing a video with her phone (she had placed the phone on the window hood and was striking poses in the middle of the walkway).
“Tapping her slightly, I asked her to excuse me as I walked past. After about 2 or 3 steps, I heard her say, ‘Who does this man think he is?’ I walked back to ascertain first if she was my student and second to make sure she deleted the video showing where I passed.
“I then demanded and reached for her phone, only to be bitten by the girl on both arms in quick succession. I then held on to her left hand so she wouldn’t get away.
“That was when she lost it; she tore my clothes, slapped and scratched my face, and generally went berserk on me—all which I received with calm, to my admiration if I do say so myself.
“We are just coming from the security office, where she told them that I was stripping her naked in the faculty. I’m told her mum is a lecturer in engineering, so perhaps that gave her extra impetus.”
The student, in her own statement titled “My Own Side of the Story,” said she felt disrespected by the lecturer’s actions after he pushed her while trying to pass, which left her feeling weak and humiliated.
She stated that after expressing her frustration, the lecturer tried to take her phone, demanding that she delete the video.
In the struggle, her phone fell and broke. She then accused the lecturer of inappropriately touching her, which led her to react aggressively, including biting him.
The UNIZIK student claimed that students from the lecturer’s department later approached her with weapons, and she was taken away by security officers.
She said, “This morning, around 11 am, I was recording a quick video with a friend along my lecture room hallway when, out of nowhere, I felt a push from my left side, accompanied by a curt ‘excuse me!’
“Initially, I thought it was a student, but when I turned around, I was shocked to see a man – a lecturer, unbeknownst to me. I felt helpless, faint, and utterly disrespected. I whispered to my friend,
“’Omo, see how this lecturer pushed me,’ and my friend tried to reassure me. Before I could even process what had just happened, someone tried to grab my phone from behind. I held on tight, exclaiming in shock, and turned around to see the same man who had pushed me earlier.
“Mind you, I didn’t even know he was a lecturer. I pleaded with him, ‘Sorry, sir, why are you dragging my phone?’ but he remained silent, tugging at my phone until it fell and broke.
“I was devastated and at the same time still lamenting in pains as I picked up the pieces of my shattered phone. But the situation took a dark turn when the lecturer grasped my breast region saying unspeakable things. I was left stunned, trying to comprehend the horror unfolding before me. As I realized my cleavage was exposed.”
She continued, “I begged him to let me go, but he ignored my pleas, holding me firmly. His nails and clutches left certain prints and scratches on my chest rather
“I was mortified. I tried to cover myself, pulling my dress together, and exclaimed in desperation, ‘Sir, I’ll hold you ohh!’ I didn’t mean to threaten him; I just wanted him to release me. But he wouldn’t budge.
“In a split second, I bit his hand, hoping he’d let go. That was when I held his clothes and accidentally tore his shirt.
“The situation escalated, with some students intervening and in no time, I saw theatre arts students (from his department) approaching me with weapons. I was so terrified and hurt. The securities eventually arrived, taking me away in their van.
“I’m still shaken by the events that transpired. I never intended to disrespect a lecturer; I was acting under duress, protecting my dignity and interests as a woman. I’m deeply sorry for my reactions, and I hope that somehow, someway, this situation can be resolved peacefully.”
In a statement, the university management confirmed they are aware of the situation and have launched an investigation.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, has promised a fair and transparent review of the matter in line with the university’s values of discipline and justice.
The statement emphasized that the school is committed to upholding moral and ethical standards, assuring that appropriate action will be taken once the investigation is concluded.
It partly reads, “The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been made aware of a disturbing incident involving Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, and Goddy Mbakwe Precious, a third-year student in the Department of History and International Studies.
“The incident, which has gained significant attention on social media, is being taken very seriously by the university authorities.
“In line with our core values of discipline, self-reliance, and excellence, and in adherence to the principles of fair hearing, equity, and justice, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, has ordered a full-scale, transparent, and unbiased investigation into the matter.
“We urge all concerned parties and members of the public to remain calm as we diligently pursue the truth. The university is committed to upholding discipline and decorum, and we will ensure that appropriate actions and sanctions are taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe University remains an institution of learning that upholds high moral and ethical standards. There is no place for indiscipline, misconduct, or any form of unacceptable behaviour within our community.”
UNIZIK added that further updates will be provided as necessary.
The incident has ignited a heated debate on social media, with users split on who to blame. Some criticized the student’s aggressive response, citing issues of discipline and conduct, while others questioned whether the lecturer was right to insist on the video’s deletion.
KanyiDaily recently reported how police arrested a lecturer of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Mfonobong Udoudom, for sexually assaulting a married female student in his office.
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