Sexual Harassment Case: Bauchi High Court Adjourns Defamation Suit Against ATBU Lecturer to June 30
By Abdulwahab Muhammad, Bauchi
The Bauchi State High Court No. 7, presided over by Justice Lamido Kabir Umar, has adjourned hearing in a defamation case involving a lecturer of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, to 30th June 2025.
The adjournment followed a letter submitted to the court by counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Nasiru Ilelah, who informed the court that he is currently in Mecca performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Background of the Case
Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, filed a defamation suit against the Head of Department, Professor Kabiru, and a postgraduate student, Kamila Rufa’i Aliyu, over allegations of sexual harassment.
The matter came to public attention after Kamila’s husband, Alhaji Ja’afaru Buba, submitted a formal petition to the university authorities, alleging that Dr. Aliyu had attempted to coerce his wife into an illicit relationship.
The petition, addressed to the Vice Chancellor, the Head of Department, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accused Dr. Aliyu of persistently harassing Kamila through unsolicited invitations to his office and inappropriate messages via WhatsApp—despite knowing she is married.
Allegations Detailed in the Petition
In a statement by Kamila’s counsel, Barrister Mohammed Sani, Esq, it was alleged that Dr. Aliyu used his position as Kamila’s lecturer to harass and intimidate her. He was reportedly teaching her CHE 635 (Polymer Processing and its Applications) and CHE 656 (Fluidization) at the time of the incident.
“Due to our client’s refusal to honour his advances, Dr. Aliyu allegedly threatened to fail her and obstruct her graduation,” the petition claimed.
The petition also accused Dr. Aliyu of violating university laws and professional ethics. WhatsApp messages were submitted as part of the evidence, and the counsel urged ATBU management to conduct a discreet investigation and take disciplinary action in line with the university's code of conduct.
Lecturer Files Defamation Suit in Response
In response to the petition, Dr. Aliyu filed a defamation suit against Professor Kabiru and Kamila Rufa’i, alleging that the allegations damaged his reputation.
During proceedings, Barrister Sani Mohammed, counsel to the second defendant (Kamila), asked the court to strike her name from the suit. However, the motion was opposed by Dr. Aliyu’s counsel.
In his ruling, Justice Lamido Kabir Umar dismissed the motion to strike out Kamila's name, stating:
“The court, having carefully scrutinised both issues and the affidavit evidence of the claimant—particularly paragraphs 9, 10, 11—and Order 5 of the Bauchi State High Court rules, finds that a cause of action exists against the second defendant.”
The judge emphasized that the decision did not preclude any party from seeking redress through appeal, stating:
“Any party not satisfied with this ruling has the right of appeal within 90 days.”
The case has been adjourned to 30th June 2025 for hearing.
End