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Ahmad Tijjani
KANO — The Federal University Dutse (FUD), during the weekend explained the termination of Dr. Ramla Muhammad Kamal’s appointment, as the institution attributed the sweeping action to her failure to resume duty after an approved study fellowship.
A statement issued on Sunday to clarify the circumstances surrounding the former lecturer’s exit from the institution by the university’s Acting Director of Public Relations, Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, stated that the ex-lecturer similarly failed to honour invitations to defend herself before its disciplinary committee.
Dr. Ramla Muhammad Kamal, who was employed as a Lecturer in Pharmacology in 2018, was granted a two-year study fellowship at the University of Putra Malaysia, with salary, under a bond requiring her to return and serve the university for a stipulated period.
FUD said her fellowship was subsequently extended to November 10, 2022, but she failed to resume after the approved period.
“Despite this extension, Dr. Kamal did not return to duty after the expiration of the approved period,” the university said.
According to the statement, a staff audit in 2024 prompted the university to direct Kamal to resume duty. She instead requested suspension of her fellowship obligations, which the university said was rejected.
FUD said Kamal later explained in response to a formal query that she was in the United States awaiting residency documentation to pursue further training in Clinical Pharmacology.
The university said she participated virtually in two investigative committee sessions but failed to return to duty, despite being advised to regularise her position.
It added that the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee invited her twice to appear and present her defence, but she did not honour the invitations.
The committee subsequently recommended appropriate action to the Governing Council, which acted in accordance with the university’s regulations.
FUD also disclosed that its Bursary Department calculated the salaries paid to Kamal during the period at ₦16.37 million.
On the publication of her name in connection with the matter, the university said the action was part of an official administrative process and “neither arbitrary nor personal.”
The university maintained that its actions complied with its Conditions of Service, the Study Fellowship Bond and applicable laws, insisting that Kamal was given opportunities to defend herself.
The dispute is currently before the Federal High Court. FUD said it had entered appearance and filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, adding that it would abide by the court’s eventual decision.
