Former Lecturer Sues Federal University for N120m Defamation

Dr. Ramla Muhammad Kamal, a former lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, has filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking N120 million for alleged defamation following her dismissal in June 2026.

Kamal claims that the university unlawfully dismissed her without providing an adequate opportunity to defend herself and that her name was publicly defamed. She asserts that she was on approved study leave to pursue postgraduate studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia, which she completed in 2023.

Kamal alleges that the university failed to pay her salary and benefits during her leave and rejected her request for an extension of her leave. The university contends that she violated the terms of her study leave bond by not returning to Nigeria and has filed a counterclaim for the refund of N16,375,817.69 in salary paid during her absence.

The case is ongoing, with the court set to determine the validity of the claims and counterclaims.