Federal University Dutse Defends Dismissal of Lecturer, Says ₦16.3m Salary Was Paid During Unapproved Absence

Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State, has defended the termination of the appointment of Dr Ramla Muhammad Kamal, a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The university also disclosed that its Bursary Department calculated the salaries paid to the lecturer during the period in question at ₦16,375,817, following her failure to resume duty after an approved study fellowship.

The position of the university was contained in a statement issued in Dutse by the Acting Director of Public Relations, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, in reaction to allegations by Dr Kamal concerning the termination of her appointment, including alleged breach of employment rights, defamation and denial of fair hearing.

According to the university, Dr Kamal was employed on May 25, 2018, as a Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and was subsequently granted a two-year study fellowship at the University of Putra Malaysia to pursue a master’s degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology under a self-sponsored arrangement with salary.

FUD said the approval was granted even though she had not completed the period ordinarily required to qualify for such a privilege, adding that she signed a Study Fellowship Bond which required her to return to the university after completing the programme and serve for the prescribed period.

The university said it later approved an extension of the fellowship, with her expected date of resumption fixed for November 10, 2022.

It, however, alleged that Dr Kamal failed to return to duty after the expiration of the approved period, adding that following a staff audit in 2024, she was formally directed to resume work.

Rather than return, the university said she requested that her obligations under the Study Fellowship Bond be suspended. According to the management, the request was not approved, and she was advised by the Head of the Department of Pharmacology to return and comply with the terms of the bond.

The university said her continued failure to resume duty resulted in the commencement of an internal disciplinary process, during which she was issued a formal query.

In her response, the institution said Dr Kamal explained that she was in the United States awaiting residency documentation which would enable her to pursue further professional training in Clinical Pharmacology.

FUD said she was subsequently given opportunities to regularise her position and participated virtually on two occasions before an Investigative Committee established to examine cases involving officers who failed to resume duty after study fellowships.

The university said the committee advised her to return to the institution and pursue any further request through the appropriate administrative channels, but she did not comply.

The matter was thereafter referred to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC), which, according to the university, invited her twice to appear and defend herself.

It said she failed to honour the invitations, prompting the committee to consider the available records before making recommendations to the Governing Council in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The university added that the Governing Council directed that relevant authorities, including the embassy of her country of residence and other agencies, be notified in line with its administrative decisions.

On the publication in which Dr Kamal’s name appeared, FUD said it was issued as part of administrative measures concerning officers who failed to fulfil obligations arising from approved study fellowships.

The university maintained that the publication was neither arbitrary nor personal, but part of an official administrative process, adding that it considered the publication lawful and protected by the legal defences of justification and qualified privilege.

However, FUD acknowledged that the dispute is now before the Federal High Court and said it would refrain from further comments on issues pending before the court. It disclosed that it had entered an appearance and filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court, which is awaiting determination.

The university said it remained confident in the judicial process and would abide by the final decision, while reaffirming its commitment to fairness, due process, accountability, staff development and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

All efforts to reach Dr Ramla Muhammad Kamal for her response to the allegations proved abortive.

Findings by Myschoolnews revealed that the lecturer is still in the United States of America and has yet to return to Nigeria.

Further checks revealed that the former lecturer has dragged FUD and its Registrar before the Federal High Court in Dutse, challenging what she described as her unlawful dismissal and seeking N120 million in damages over alleged defamation and breach of her employment rights.

In the suit, marked FHC/DUT/CS/18/2026, Kamal is asking the court to declare her dismissal unlawful, arguing that the university breached the terms of her employment, denied her fair hearing and publicised her dismissal before formally serving her with the dismissal lett

She is also seeking an order compelling the university to withdraw the publication describing her as an absconding staff member and to issue a public apology.

Kamal is further claiming N100 million as general damages and N20 million as exemplary damages.

According to the court documents, Kamal was granted study leave with full salary to pursue postgraduate studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia, which she said she completed in 2023.

She claimed that she personally funded her tuition, accommodation, flights and other academic expenses with support from her family, while the university only paid her salary throughout the study period.

The claimant further stated that, after completing her studies, she sought leave of absence to accompany her husband to the United States, where he secured a research appointment, while she planned to undertake a clinical pharmacology fellowship.

She alleged that the university rejected her request, stopped her salary in May 2024 and subsequently dismissed her in June 2026 after disciplinary proceedings.

The university has maintained that it acted within its regulations, while Kamal’s allegations remain subject to determination by the Federal High Court.