Dismissed Ojukwu University lecturers deny claims of insubordination and sexual harassment.

Prof. Chike Osegbue and Comrade Emeka Nwabunnia, two lecturers from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University who were among five academic staff dismissed by the university’s governing council, have denied the allegations brought against them.

Osegbue, a member of the Political Science Department, was accused of insubordination after allegedly refusing to teach a course assigned to him for MSc students. Nwabunnia, from the Microbiology Department, faced accusations of sexually exploiting students.

Osegbue was suspended for six months before his dismissal was announced on Friday. Nwabunnia received a 30‑month suspension prior to his sack.

During a press conference on Sunday, the two lecturers refuted the claims and discussed what they described as corruption within the university.

Osegbue said, “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.”

When asked about the claim that he did not teach the postgraduate course PSC 811: Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development, Osegbue explained that he refused to teach because the students did not meet the eligibility criteria for examination. He added that the students were admitted only two weeks before the exams, which he said violated institutional rules.

He stated, “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.”

Osegbue also mentioned that his conflict began when he vied for the vice‑chancellor position and finished first in the interview, only to be passed over by the visitor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who appointed Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, who had placed fifth. He said, “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. There are several petitions against the Vice Chancellor relating to fraud at EFCC and we are in court with them on that, so I will not delve into that.”

Comrade Nwabunnia denied the sexual exploitation allegations, asserting that the video presented as evidence was fabricated using AI technology. He claimed that he has always been the most upright lecturer in the department, standing against bribery and sexual exploitation. As a former chairman of ASUU at the university, he said he had integrity to protect.