The Federal University Dutse, FUD, has defended its decision to terminate the appointment of a former lecturer, Dr Ramla Muhammad Kamal, saying she failed to resume duty after the expiration of her approved study fellowship and subsequently did not honour invitations to appear before its disciplinary committee.
The university’s position was contained in a statement issued by its Acting Director of Public Relations, Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, in response to allegations made by Kamal over her dismissal.
FUD said Kamal was employed in 2018 as a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and was later granted a two-year study fellowship at Universiti Putra Malaysia under a self-sponsored arrangement with salary.
According to the institution, Kamal signed a study fellowship bond committing her to return to the university and serve for a specified period after completing her programme.
The university said her fellowship was subsequently extended until November 10, 2022, but alleged that she failed to return to her post after the approved period elapsed.
FUD said the issue came to its attention during a staff audit in 2024, after which Kamal was formally directed to resume duty.
Rather than return, the university said she requested a suspension of her obligations under the study fellowship bond, but the request was rejected.
The institution said it thereafter commenced disciplinary proceedings in line with its Conditions of Service and issued her a formal query.
FUD stated that Kamal, in her response, explained that she was in the United States awaiting residency documentation to enable her pursue additional professional training.
The university maintained that she was given further opportunities to regularise her employment status, including participating in virtual proceedings before an investigative committee.
It said she was advised to resume duty and channel any request for further consideration through the appropriate administrative procedures.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which, according to the university, invited Kamal twice to appear and defend herself.
FUD alleged that she failed to honour both invitations, after which the committee recommended disciplinary action.
The university also disclosed that its Bursary Department was directed to calculate the salaries paid to Kamal during the period in question, putting the amount at N16.37 million.
On the allegation of defamation arising from a publication bearing her name, FUD said the publication was part of an official administrative process and was not motivated by personal considerations.
The university said the publication was covered by the legal principles of justification and qualified privilege.
Kamal has since instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Dutse, challenging her dismissal and seeking N120 million in damages over alleged defamation and violation of her employment rights.
FUD said it had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court and would allow the judiciary to determine the dispute.
The university added that it would refrain from making further comments on the matter while the case remains pending, stressing its commitment to due process, accountability and the rule of law.
