By CHARLES IWUOHA

The police have arrested a senior lecturer at Archaeology and Tourism Department of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), for allegedly impregnating a student and going ahead to threaten her life.

The lecturer, Dr Chigozie Odum, was alleged to have put the female student, Miss Onah Chinyere, in a family way after coercing her into a sexual intercourse. He was arrested by a crack squad of the Enugu State Police Command.

The family lawyer of the student, Mr Fabian Ugwuama, while briefing journalists on Monday, said that the family had written petitions and reminders to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of UNN concerning the unprofessional conduct of Dr Odum.

According to Ugwuama, “however, for months we have not heard from the institution’s authorities.

“Our brief further showed that the said Dr Odum approached our client, a student in the department he lectures, demanded to be sleeping with her and threatened her that if she refuses, she will never graduate from the said department.

“Odum further threatened her that he was a cultist while in school and that up till today still has contacts of some cultists; therefore, warned our client to comply with his demands and requests in her own interest.

“Our information further showed that he called our client (student) to his house and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

“Meanwhile, the family had written a petition to the authorities of the UNN over the matter, they were yet to get any response and it was copied to the UNN VC, the HOD of the lecturer’s department and Servicom.

“There was no response until the ultimatum given by the family elapsed. This was said to have prompted the petition to the police and his arrest.”

Ugwuama further said that all efforts made earlier to get Dr Odom take responsibility, settle amicably and protect himself, his family and UNN from the present embarrassment proved abortive.

“From the police,” he said, “we will also go to court for civil claims to ensure that this girl's rights are remedied.

“Unfortunately, the lecturer after the despicable act and not on any day asked after his impregnated student or her baby is now trying to claim the child by force, threatening every member of the family, but we are not going to let that happen.”

But when contacted, Odum claimed to be unaware of any petition against him or the case in question; adding: “That is what I am saying; I am not aware of anything of such, please.

“You asked me a question, is it so so and so name, I said yes, but I am not aware of what you are saying. Do not be offended please, I have not heard about it, okay.”

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