By Ishaya Ibrahim
A lecturer in the Department of Physiology at Imo State University (IMSU), Dr Desmond Izunwanne, has been suspended for assaulting a pregnant student for not wearing a laboratory uniform to class.
On April 29, TheNiche reported how Izuwanne gave the female student multiple slaps because she attended lectures with the wrong outfit.
The incident occurred at a lecture hall at IMSU.
The slapping led to a protest on the school premises by civil society organisations and female students on Tuesday.
Addressing the issue on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the University, Ralph Njokuobi, in a statement in Owerri, said the lecturer’s action was “barbaric and unbecoming.”
Njokuobi said that at a management meeting, the university approved the immediate suspension of the lecturer till further notice.
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The university’s spokesperson also announced that a three-man Disciplinary committee was immediately constituted to “unravel the immediate and remote causes that led to his uncouth behaviour.”
The statement reads: “It has come to the notice of the Management of Imo State University the viral video circulating around the globe about the indecorous actions of a Lecturer of the university, Dr Desmond lzunwanne 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 the Management Meeting held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Management approved the suspension of the lecturer, Dr Desmond lzunwanne 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 Rights 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.”