In a shocking turn of events, Professor Benedicta Daudu, a lecturer and professor at the Taraba State University, has filed a lawsuit against Premium Times, seeking a whopping N7 billion in damages over the newspaper's reporting of her examination malpractice scandal.
The scandal, which dates back to 2016, involves Daudu's suspension from the University of Jos, where she was caught with "foreign materials" containing answers during a master's degree examination.
Despite the scandal, Daudu was shortlisted for the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2023, but did not make the final list.
Daudu claims that Premium Times' reports on the scandal, published in September and October 2023, were false and maliciously damaged her reputation and qualifications, ruining her chances of becoming a SAN. However, Premium Times stands by its reporting, citing documents and evidence from the University of Jos, including a report from the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee, which found Daudu guilty of examination misconduct.
The lawsuit has sparked controversy, with many questioning Daudu's attempts to silence the media and cover up her past misconduct. The case has also raised concerns about academic integrity and the consequences of cheating in institutions of higher learning.
According to court documents, Daudu claims that Premium Times' reports were "wicked publications" aimed at rubbishing her good name, integrity, and professional standing. She also claims that the reports were published without giving her a chance to respond to the allegations.
However, Premium Times has maintained that its reporting was based on verifiable evidence and documents from the University of Jos. The newspaper has also stated that it gave Daudu ample opportunity to respond to the allegations before publishing the reports.
The examination malpractice scandal has had a long and complicated history. In 2016, Daudu was caught with 11 pieces of paper containing revision notes relevant to her exam. She was subsequently suspended from the master's programme for two semesters and suspended as a staff member for six months.
Despite her suspension, Daudu filed a suit at the National Industrial Court in Abuja to stop the proceedings. During the trial, she admitted under cross-examination that "revision notes" were found in her possession, but claimed she had no intention of using them during the exam.
The court ultimately dismissed her suit, affirming the university's right to take disciplinary action against her. Daudu appealed the decision but later resigned from her position at the University of Jos in November 2019.
The settlement, filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on March 31, 2021, allowed Daudu to resign from the university and continue her studies after serving one academic session of suspension. The university also agreed to pay her withheld half salaries for the six months she was on suspension as a staff member.
However, the settlement sparked controversy, with some media outlets reporting that the University of Jos had reinstated Daudu as a staff member after clearing her of examination misconduct allegations.
The university quickly issued a rejoinder to deny the reports, stating that Daudu "was never absolved of wrongdoing regarding the allegation of examination misconduct".
As the case proceeds, it remains to be seen whether Daudu will succeed in her bid to silence Premium Times and redeem her reputation. However, one thing is clear: the scandal has highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in the academia and the importance of a free press in holding those in power accountable.
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