A female rights group, Sisters With A Goal Initiative, SWAGI, has petitioned the Imo State Commissioner of police over assault by IMSU lecturer on female student.
While protesting at IMSU administrative building on Tuesday, the group lamented that many female students in the varsity are victims of abuses and intimidations by lecturers but remained calm due to fear.
The petition to Imo police commissioner was signed by the group’s executive codinator, Marjorie Ezihe on Tuesday.
The petition Reads, “We are compelled by the need to respect and abide by the laws of our land bring to your attention the unacceptable conduct of Dr Desmond Izunwanne, a lecturer in the faculty of Basic Medical Science, department of physiology of the Imo State University, IMSU, in physically assaulting a female pregnant degree student of the institution by slapping her severally irrespective of her protestation of being sick and coming from the hospital and further ordering her to kneel down.
“Commissioner sir, this physical assault verbal abuse and subsequent corporal punishment was dully captured and evidenced by video. Hence we request the Imo State Commissioner of police to activate necessary mechanism to respond to this fundamental rights infringements which constitue an infraction and affront of relevant section of the constitution as well as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Imo State, which clearly frowns at intimidations of persons with clear consequences for any such infractions.
“Sir, we pronounce clearly that our ivory tower is not a place for barbarians to act out their barbaric tendencies as Imo civil society and human rights community is poised resist any such attempt.
Group commends IMSU VC ocer lecturer’s suspension
The group has also commended the Imo State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chukwuma Uchefula, SAN over his excellent leadership disposition in swift activation of disciplinary measures in tandem with regulatory framework. and
The group said it is aware that Dr. Desmond Izunwanne has since proceeded on suspension.
The group’s executive codinator, Marjorie Ezihe said, “It is noteworthy that your impeccable reputation precedes you and our advocacy will further help communicate prevention mechanism and support for victims in a safe space through a right based methodology.
Her words, “The Imo civil society community was stunned by the acts of verbal and physical abuse meted on a pregnant female student of the university by a lecturer Dr Desmond Izunwanne of faculty of basic medical sciences and department of physiology, which was captured in a viral video footage, attracting condemnation from every nook and cranny, projecting our acclaimed institution in the negative light.Hence our advocacy to engender collaborative synergy aimed at enabling right practices with respect to the laws of our land and exacting consequences for lawlessness.
“Prof Sir, we We further call on your leadership to enshrine the rule of law, as Dr. Desmond Izunwanne actions are fundamental rights infringements and also constitute infractions of the law of violence against persons prohibition of Imo.It our desires to see IMSU an ivory tower of unimpeachable repute.Accept the kind assurance of our service to humanity orientation.
Recall that Dr Desmond Izunwanne, a lecturer who slapped and assaulted a female student of Imo State University, IMSU, was suspended on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the female student identified as Ukamaka from the department of Medical Laboratory, received multiple slaps from her lecturer after she attended lectures on wrong outfit.
The incident, according to a video posted by Instablog9ja, occurred at a lecture hall of the Imo state University (IMSU) on Friday last week.
A Source who preferred anonymity said Dr. Desmond Izunwanne, the lecturer is from the department Physiology in the faculty of Basic Medical Science but teaches Medical Laboratory students.
Another source said that the lecturer has gotten used to abuse students on regular basis.
On this incident, it was gathered that one of the students in the lecture hall used a spy camera to record the moment when the lecturer was pressing the lady to respond on why she came to lecture in mufti and not her laboratory jacket. He slapped her at least thrice before the recording ended.
According to reports, the student was feeling unwell and had explained to Dr Izunwanne that she had visited the hospital just before arriving for his class.
Dr Izunwanne ignored her explanation and proceeded to slap her multiple times asking her, “what’s your reason for coming to class late?”. He further also asked her why she was on mufti and told her to continue to kneel. It is reported that the affected student was actually pregnant.
Eyewitnesses said that this isn’t the first time Dr Izunwanne has engaged in such a barbarous action.
Confirming to our correspondent on Tuesday evening, Dr Ralf Njoku, IMSU spokesperson said the lecturer has been suspended.
Njoku added that a three-man committee has been set up to investigate matter properly and sanction the lecturer appropriately.
When our correspondent asked if the victim will be protected against gang ups by other lecturers over the issue, Njoku assured that the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uchefula Chukwuma, SAN, will not sweep the matter under the carpet.
“There are rules of engagement between the students and lecturers. So there’s nothing like gang ups in this institutions.
“We will sanitize this university so that it will be a place where students can learn comfortably, “IMSU PRO said.
Speaking with the victim, Ukamaka said that the issue has been resolved.
Ukamaka added that she has been instructed not to speak to the media on the matter.
