KWASU Lecturer In Court To Defend Right To Criticise Governor

A lecturer at the Kaduna State University (KASU) has gone to the court to seek redress after the institution's Governing Council asked him to stop 'denigrating' the person of the Kaduna state governor Governor Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

The lecturer, John Danfulani, instituted a suit against the Governing Council at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Kaduna.

Danfulani in his suit, through his counsel, Auta Maisamari, challenged the appropriateness of the letter issued to him after his remarks about Yero in his "numerous write ups."

According to a Premium Timesreport, the letter, titled ‘Denigration of The Person of the Visitor of Kaduna State University’, was issued to Danfulani on June 20, 2014.

“Management has observed with dismay the way and manner in which you denigrate and make unsubstantiated remarks about the person of the Visitor of the University, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero in your numerous write ups.

“While noting that you may exercise your freedom of expression and express opinion on issues, management views the statements above by you, a staff member of the university as denigrative and as an act of misconduct in line with section 20: 4 of the university law," the letter read.

The Governing council also warned him to stop such "acts of misconduct or disrespect to the person or office of the visitor who is your employer" and threatened to punish him if he persisted.

"Failure to desist will leave management with no option than to take appropriate action,” the letter further read.

Danfulani wants the court to determine if he is barred from public commentary because he is a lecturer and whether doing same contravenes any law.

He also wants the court to restrain the university from punishing him.