Two lecturers sacked by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have publicly rejected the allegations used to justify their dismissal, describing the process as unjust and politically motivated.
Professors Chike Osegbue and Comrade Emeka Nwabunnia, both among five academic staff recently sacked by the university’s governing council, addressed journalists at a press conference on Sunday to state their cases.
Osegbue, of the Political Science Department, was accused of insubordination for refusing to teach a postgraduate course allocated to him. He was suspended for six months before his sack was announced on Friday.
However, Osegbue told journalists he was not formally notified of his dismissal and only learned about it through the media.
“I’m not aware of my sack. When I was suspended, even though it was a poorly contrived allegation, at least I got a letter of suspension, but as for sack, I’m hearing it from the media just like you. I have just concluded my six months suspension and I’m waiting for a recall,” he said.
He explained that he refused to teach the course, PSC 811: Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development, because the students were admitted just two weeks before examinations and did not meet the institution’s eligibility requirements.
“None of these students met the eligibility requirement, but they were nevertheless allowed to write examinations in other courses but I refused. Certificate racketeering within the institution is high,” his written reply to the query read.
Osegbue also linked his troubles to his participation in the university’s vice-chancellor selection process, where he claimed to have topped the interview rankings ahead of the current VC, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, who he said came fifth but was still appointed by the visitor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
“We are already in court about that because I don’t see how someone who came fifth was picked ahead of someone who came first,” he said.
Nwabunnia, of the Microbiology Department, faced a far more serious allegation of sexually exploiting students. He was suspended for 30 months before his sack was announced.
He flatly denied the accusation, and claimed that a video presented as evidence against him was fabricated using artificial intelligence.
Nwabunnia, a former ASUU chairman at the university, said he had spent his career fighting against the very misconduct he was being accused of.
“In the entire department, I remained the most upright lecturer, who stood against bribery and sexual exploitation,” he said, insisting his integrity was intact.
Both lecturers maintained that their dismissals were unjust and vowed to continue challenging the university’s actions through the appropriate channels.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
