Federal University Dutse has defended its termination of Dr Ramla Muhammad Kamal's appointment as a Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, insisting the decision followed its Conditions of Service and due process, as the matter remains before the Federal High Court in Dutse.

The University's Acting Director of Public Relations, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, issued a statement in Dutse on Sunday responding to Kamal's allegations of breach of employment rights, defamation, and denial of fair hearing.

According to the university, Kamal was employed on May 25, 2018, and later granted a self sponsored study fellowship with salary at the University of Putra Malaysia for a master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology, signing a bond committing her to return and serve afterward. Her resumption date was extended to November 10, 2022, but the university alleged she failed to return.

FUD stated that a 2024 staff audit prompted disciplinary proceedings after Kamal requested a suspension of her bond obligations, which was rejected. She reportedly told an Investigative Committee she was in the United States awaiting residency documentation for further training, but failed to honour two invitations from the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee. The Governing Council subsequently acted on the committee's recommendations, with the Bursary Department calculating salaries paid to her during the period at ₦16,375,817.

The university maintained its publication naming her as an absconding staff member was lawful, protected by justification and qualified privilege, and said it had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction.

Kamal, still resident in the United States according to checks by our reporter, has sued FUD and its Registrar in suit FHC/DUT/CS/18/2026, seeking N120 million in damages. Court documents show she claims to have self funded her studies, completed in 2023, and that the university stopped her salary in May 2024 before dismissing her in June 2026. She is seeking N100 million in general damages, N20 million in exemplary damages, and an order compelling the university to withdraw the publication and issue a public apology.

Efforts to reach Kamal for comment were unsuccessful.