The newly constituted 8th Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra State has wielded the big stick, dismissing five high-ranking staff members—including two prominent professors—following a comprehensive investigation into various forms of gross misconduct.
The sweeping disciplinary action was finalized during the council’s 122nd meeting, marking its first major administrative act immediately following its formal inauguration by the state Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
According to an official statement released by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Harrison Madubueze, the dismissed staff cut across several faculties and campuses. The list of sanctioned personnel includes:
- Prof. C. C. Nwabachili – The immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Law.
- Prof. Chike Osegbue – Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences.
- Dr. I. H. Iheukwumere & Mr. Emeka Nwabunnia – Both senior lecturers from the Department of Microbiology at the university’s Uli Campus.
- Mrs. Ifeoma Kakulu – A Principal Assistant Registrar who previously served as the Examination Officer for the Faculty of Law at the Igbariam Campus.
The university administration made it clear that the dismissals were structural and ethical course corrections. While the specific infractions of individual professors were framed broadly under serious professional misconduct, the council explicitly revealed that the lecturers from the Microbiology department were terminated following concrete findings of sexual abuse, harassment, intimidation, and financial extortion targeted at students.
Reaffirming the institution’s stance on academic integrity, the council warned that any actions capable of dragging the university’s reputation into the mud will face severe, uncompromised consequences as the management drives a safe, accountable atmosphere for learning.
