Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Vice Chancellor, Prof Kate Omenugha, has rejected allegations that sacked lecturer Prof Chike Osegbue was dismissed because he contested the vice chancellorship position against her.

Omenugha addressed journalists at a mid term media briefing held at the university's Igbariam campus, where she outlined the disciplinary process that preceded Osegbue's removal and defended her administration's conduct.

Osegbue was among five lecturers recently dismissed by the university's Governing Council over offences including sexual misconduct, extortion, intimidation and gross professional negligence. The Political Science professor was specifically found culpable of abandoning his duties without authorisation or justification.

The Vice Chancellor stated that Osegbue repeatedly failed to teach students enrolled in the Political Science master's programme. She disclosed that his Head of Department issued a query, to which he responded with insults directed at her office and the state governor rather than addressing the allegations.

"Prof Osegbue had students who were preparing for their Masters Course in Political Science and he never appeared to teach them. When his HOD issued him a query, he wrote all kinds of insults against myself and the governor, insisting that the university does not have a VC," she said.

Omenugha added that a subsequent query from the university Registrar drew an identical response. A panel was constituted, Osegbue was formally invited but declined to appear, and the panel's recommendations were forwarded to the Governing Council, which approved his dismissal. The Council granted him 30 days to appeal the decision.

"Therefore, anyone making allegations that Osegbue was sacked because he contested the Vice Chancellorship position with me is telling a lie. Other contestants in that VC election are still working with my administration, occupying key positions. Why are they not victimised too?" she stated.

Omenugha also defended her credentials, noting her record of over 800 publication citations, eight years as Anambra Commissioner for Education and service at federal and presidential levels.

On the broader dismissals, she maintained that her administration would not tolerate sexual misconduct, disclosing that explicit videos involving some lecturers had circulated online and that female students had come forward with testimonies. She said a committee had been established to allow the sacked lecturers to formally appeal their dismissals.