UNIZIK lecturer risks punishment for flogging student over uniform

The management of the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said it had begun investigation into an incident that allegedly took place on the campus in which an unidentified lecturer flogged an undergraduate for not adhering to the dress code.

The undergraduate of Economics, identified by her social media name, gigi_symplefyed Ginika, was allegedly beaten up by the lecturer for not wearing the Ankara uniform prescribed for the department.

The lecturer is currently facing a disciplinary panel over the incident.

But the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Uche Nwogwugwu, said, “A thorough investigation shall be conducted into the matter, and if the allegations are true, the lecturer will definitely face the wrath of the vice-chancellor.

“There is a need to find out the actual reason behind the alleged beating of the female student. If it is confirmed to be true, the lecturer will not go unpunished.

“It is true that the university management, under the leadership of the VC, Prof Charles Esimone, made a law prohibiting indecent dressing on campus; that does not in any way empower any lecturer or staff of the institution to take the law into their own hands without recourse to the authorities.”

He stated that the university management would continue to do all within its powers to protect the rights and welfare of students.

The said lecturer, it was gathered, seized the personal effects, including shoes, of other students for not complying with the dress code.

The situation, it was gathered, had created tension on campus.

A source said, “There is pressure on the Students’ Union Government to take action on the matter or we the students will paralyse academic activities in the university for days.

“Can you imagine? Where has this happened before that a lecturer would flog an undergraduate for any reason? Are we in a nursery and primary school? This is unacceptable; this is unheard of. We must get to the root of this.

“The girl in question is still in pain because of the beating she received from this callous lecturer, which left her body swollen. This kind of behaviour belongs to the Hobbesian state of nature.”

Source: PUNCH