The controversy surrounding the suspension of Political Science Lecturer with Kaduna State University, Dr. John Danfulani has gathered momentum as he has now dragged the University to court.
Political Science Lecturer with Kaduna State University, KASU, Dr. John Danfulani
Political Science lecturer with Kaduna State University, KASU, Dr. John Danfulani, who has been suspended by the school, and also sued by Kaduna State government over an alleged inciting face book comment, has dragged KASU to the National Industrial Court in Kaduna.
This was contained in a Press Statement signed by Danfulani in Kaduna yesterday as he thanked those who stood by him during what he said were his ordeal and posited that no one could gag him against opposing bad governance.
Notice of the suit served KASU yesterday was referenced, Suit No: NICN/KD/06/2016, entered by Barr. James Kanyip Esq and Manasseh Adams Esq on behalf of Danfulani, the Claimant, against the Defendants – KASU, the Vice Chancellor, VC, of KASU and the Governing Council of KASU.
The Press Statement of Danfulani reads in part: “I secured my freedom last Tuesday, against all the odds set up against me to remain under lock indefinitely. “Since the matter is already in Court, I just want to use this opportunity to thank all those who stood by me during this ordeal.
“I also want to assure all that my struggle for an open society, promotion of responsible and responsive government, transparency in the act of governance, and respect for voices of dissents is unstoppable. My voice shall not peter-out even in the face of mobilization of state power against me as clearly demonstrated in this case.
“I shall soldier-on and dare against those who want to condense the frontiers of liberty and freedom in Kaduna State and Nigeria at large."
In the suit filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division, Danfulani made seven demands. Among the demands, he wanted the Court to make: “A declaration that the procedure and process adopted and followed by the 1st and 2nd Defendants, (KASU and its VC) leading to the purported suspension on the Claimant from duty as contained in the internal memorandum dated 8th of January, 2016 and entitled ‘suspension from duty’ are illegal, wrong, void and of no effect whatsoever,
“Setting aside or quashing all the procedures of processes taken by the 1st and 2nd Defendant leading to the purported suspension of the Claimant as contained in the internal memorandum dated 8th of January, 2016 and entitled: ‘suspension from duty’ which purported to suspend the Claimant from duty.
“And order compelling the defendant to pay the Complainant all the arrears of his salaries, entitlements, emoluments, allowances and other perquisites of office that he lost as a result of the purported suspension.
“An order or perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, either by themselves, or through any other person or agent from terminating or purporting to terminate the appointment of Claimant with 1st Defendant”.
The case comes up February 22nd, 2016.