The American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola has suspended its School of Law Dean, Bello Magaji, after a Premium Times investigation revealed that he was convicted of sodomy by a military court, had the sentence upheld by the Supreme Court, never served a single day in prison, and later received a presidential pardon.
The university confirmed the suspension in a statement signed by its Registrar, Daniel Okereke, on Monday.
Magaji, an associate professor, has been placed on indefinite leave without pay while an administrative review panel set up by university management investigates the matter.
AUN said the suspension followed the discovery that Magaji failed to disclose his prior military service and misrepresented his records in employment documents at the time of hiring.
“These actions constitute a fundamental breach of trust and are considered matters of serious concern by the University,” the statement read.
According to the Premium Times investigation, Magaji, a former military police officer in the Nigerian Army, was convicted of sodomy by a General Court Martial in 1997 and sentenced to seven years in prison, later reduced to five years.
The conviction followed evidence that he had intoxicated four boys, including a 17-year-old, with alcohol before sexually abusing them in 1996. Two victims and a witness testified against him during the trial.
Magaji denied the charges throughout, claiming he was framed in retaliation for prosecuting cases as a military police officer.
He challenged the conviction from the General Court Martial all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld his sentence in 2008. He also approached the National Human Rights Commission and the Oputa Panel.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Magaji never served his prison term. In 2013, former President Goodluck Jonathan granted him a presidential pardon.
To make matters more troubling, the Nigerian Army also altered his official records, replacing his dismissal from service with a voluntary retirement.
With his military past effectively buried, Magaji built an academic career, rising through the ranks in Nigerian universities to become a law faculty dean.
AUN said it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in all its operations.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
