Barrister Demands UNIZIK Publicly Reprimand Assaulted Lecturer Dr Chukwudi Okoye, Gives Reason

• A Nigerian lawyer has reacted to Nnamdi Azikiwe University's expulsion of the female student who assaulted a lecturer
• The legal practitioner said the lecturer involved in the physical altercation should get some public condemnation from the university authority and shared why
• In an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, barrister Ebimnamonye Chidera Divine, founder of Pure Legal Solicitors, faulted UNIZIK's hasty expulsion decision and offered a piece of advice to the expelled student

Barrister Enyinnaya Nwosu has sent a message to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) after the expulsion of its female student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious.

The lawyer, in a Facebook post, opined that the lecturer in the viral physical altercation, Dr Chukwudi Okoye, deserved some public condemnation from the university authority.

According to barrister Nwosu, the lecturer did not act the right way in the matter.

He said a reprimand of the lecturer by the university would do and not necessarily a sack. His Facebook post read:

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"Lecturer should get some public condemnation from the university authority. He didn't do well too.

"Maybe not sacking but some form of reprimand."

The barrister's demand has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

Barrister offers advice to expelled UNIZIK student

Speaking with Legit.ng on the trending UNIZIK physical altercation incident, Barrister Ebimnamonye Chidera Divine, founder of Pure Legal Solicitors, criticised UNIZIK's handling of the matter.

He said the expelled student was not give a fair hearing as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and advised her on what to do. He said:

"Well, the fact is that in a situation where a student is felt to have committed any misconduct on campus, the law is that the student ought to be afforded a fair hearing, and given ample time to prepare and respond to all allegations made against her.

"See section 36 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Secondly, from all facts to our knowledge revealed in the documents of the expulsion of the said young undergraduate vis a vis other channels, we can agree that there has been no opportunity afforded the lady in question to clearly respond to allegations made against her.

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"We are in the 21st century where individuals should not take laws into their hands. This is not the first time in our legal jurisprudence that an undergraduate has been falsely and illegally expelled without following due process of law.

"The Supreme Court of Nigeria has witnessed cases of such, ranging from:

"1) GARBA V UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI (SC. 24/1985) [1986] NGSC 12 (14 February 1986).

"2) ANYAIBE V ABSU 1996 (1) NWLR (pt.439) pg 646.

"In these two cases above, the expelled undergraduate were mandated by the court to go back to their schools and continue their education. In this instant case at UNIZIK and with the facts within our domain, I would advise the female undergraduate to seek legal action and has rights as a student will be returned."

Barrister's assertion about UNIZIK lecturer generates buzz

Nnanyelu Chinweike Okeke said:

"Story here is not Europe. You guys should stop messing with our system. This is how we came up with 1 man 1 wife see what is happening in Africa today copy copy akaria."

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Lady posts 'new' video, accuses UNIZIK lecturer of trying to undress female student during 'fight'

Joy Chinyere said:

"Body dey pepper the lecture v well ,somtin sorry wouldn't hav solved the problem to both of them."

Adebanjo Adesewa Lydia said:

"The girl brought him out to the public . Whatever they need to do the lecturer should be done in school in fact he has done nada. We all watched the same video."

Chukwuma Nwachukwu said:

"If the student was male, I bet the lecturer won't touch, demand for phone or create a scene.

"That man is used to touching females.

"Nobody talks about that!!!"

Ifeanyi Keazor said:

"Even if the girl was saucy, he had no right to grab her arm and try to wrestle her phone off her."

Vivian Emesaraonye Dimgba said:

"He's a m0ron..education means that you're held to a higher standard. With the skill to deescalate precarious situations..this is Nigeria where a girl child have no rights."

Man appeals to UNIZIK about expelled student

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a man had faulted the management of UNIZIK for expelling the female student involved in an altercation with a lecturer.

He called on the school's vice chancellor to review the decision and described it as an unfair judgement.

While threatening to take the matter to court if his request is not considered, he sent a message to the affected student on what she should do.

Source: Legit.ng