ATBU Lecturer in Court Over Alleged Harassment of Postgraduate Student

 Jafaru Buba, the husband of a postgraduate student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has called on the university to investigate allegations of sexual harassment leveled against a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Speaking to journalists, Buba revealed that his legal representatives had filed a petition against the lecturer with the ATBU Vice-Chancellor, the Head of the Chemical Engineering Department, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to the petition submitted by Barrister Mohammed Sani, the accused lecturer allegedly harassed the student repeatedly by summoning her to his office and sending inappropriate messages via WhatsApp. Despite being aware of her marital status, the lecturer reportedly continued his advances.

The petition further alleges that after the student rejected his advances, the lecturer resorted to threats, including failing her and hindering her ability to complete her Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program. WhatsApp chats reportedly supporting the allegations were included as evidence in the petition.

Barrister Sani urged the university to carry out a comprehensive investigation and take appropriate measures to discourage such misconduct among academic staff.

When contacted, Zailani Bappah, ATBU's public relations officer, stated that he was unaware of the case but promised to confirm with the university's management.

Efforts to reach the accused lecturer for comments proved unsuccessful. However, a colleague of the lecturer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the lecturer denies the allegations.

The case has also been filed at Bauchi State High Court 7, with the next hearing scheduled for November 27, 2027.