Kaduna University Suspends John Danfulani, Lecturer Over Facebook ‘hate Speech’

The Kaduna State University has suspended one
of its senior lecturers for posting a Facebook
comment deemed as hate speech.
In December, John Danfulani stirred controversy
by lashing at supporters of the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC, northern leaders,
and President Muhammadu Buhari. He also
mocked the large number of out-of-school
children in the north.
Part of his Facebook post post said, "To them,
APC is a religious party. Northern leaders under
the party are demigods and crusaders of their
ways of life. These people living in dusty villages
of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa are quick
in calling you 'Arne or Kafiri' (Meaning Pagan)
once you express your view on anything their
God PMB and his brigade of small Angels are
doing. Attack the attacker, and lets the skies fall".
Mr. Danfulani confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that
he authored the post, which was widely circulated
among Kaduna residents.
He subsequently deleted his Facebook page. Mr.
Danfulani is believed to be currently out of the
country.
After criticisms poured in, the university queried
Mr. Danfulani, calling his post "divisive, injurious
and tantamount to hate speech".
In a query dated January 6, signed by the school
registrar, Talatu A Kuri, the university said the
lecturer should explain why disciplinary action
should not be taken against him for a comment
he posted on the social media.
"The content of the publication you authored is
divisive, injurious to the University and
tantamount to hate speech capable of inciting
particular group of students against staff and
other students. This behaviour is unbecoming of
a lecturer who is supposed to mould students'
character and impart learning," the letter said.
In his response, Mr. John said he was not
furnished with details of his offence.
"It is a large world of dozens of platforms, most
of which are yet to be in full practice in Nigeria. I
have pages that upload my opinions on
multifaceted local and international issues when
my conscience and spirit direct me to do so," he
wrote.
"Because of this, I do not know on which of the
platforms the piece that generated this query was
hoisted because your query did not contain such
details."
He added: "My wall, updates and writings in the
social media are all in my private capacity and
not in my official capacity as a Lecturer with the
University".
Not satisfied with his response, the school
authority suspended him from the university.
The registrar of the university, Talatu A. Kuri, last
week, informed Mr. Danfulani of the decision.
The letter reads: "We refer to our letter of query
dated 5th January, 2016, requesting you to
explain within 48 hours why disciplinary action
will not be taken against you for gross
misconduct and confirm that you failed to
respond.
"In line with S15 (1) 4 of KASU staff Conditions of
Service, the Vice Chancellor has suspended you
from duty forthwith and will report the matter to
Council."
A student leader of the university who spoke to
PREMIUM TIMES said the post could have caused
a major crisis save for the prompt response by
the authorities.
On Saturday, the Kaduna State Security Council
announced that it would henceforth prosecute
any group of persons or individuals inciting
ethno-religious crisis in the state.
Rising from its weekly security meeting, the
council said the warning was necessary following
reports of comments made by individuals
capable of creating social unrest in the state.