How UNIZIK expelled student, Chimamaka Precious, for assaulting lecturer 

• Prescious & Dr. Okoye

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, commonly referred to as UNIZIK, on Thursday, expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, following her physical assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

The incident, which generated significant online backlash, occurred when Chimamaka Precious confronted Dr. Chukwudi Okoye after he interrupted her TikTok video on the UNIZIK campus.

A video capturing the confrontation circulated on social media, prompting widespread outrage and calls for disciplinary action against Prescious.

In a letter dated February 13, 2025, and signed by Acting Registrar of UNIZIK, Victor I. Modebelu, the university announced that the expulsion was based on recommendations from the Student Disciplinary Committee.

The committee found Prescious’ actions to be a serious breach of the institution’s disciplinary code, specifically Regulation 4 (SDR).

As per the expulsion letter, Precious was ordered to leave the university premises immediately, while she would return any school property in her possession.

UNIZIK, in their letter, emphasised that this action reinforces its commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding academic standards.

The letter read, “The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR).

“Consequently, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University Senate, approved the Committee’s recommendation that you be expelled and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the University premises immediately and return any University property in your possession.”

Genesis of the conflict

Before the UNIZIK management launched an investigation into the matter, the conflict started 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.”

Student’s Account

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.”

The incident ignited a heated debate on social media, with users split on who to blame. Some criticised 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.