Najja Baptist, a former University of Arkansas at Fayetteville professor who was terminated in March after an internal audit revealed he billed the university tens of thousands of dollars for personal expenses tied to his June 2025 wedding and honeymoon, was arrested this week on a domestic battery charge. His wife, whom he recently married, has filed for divorce.
The university dismissed Baptist following the audit that uncovered misuse of university funds, including costs related to venues, travel, and accommodations for his wedding events. The investigation was part of broader efforts by the UA Fayetteville administration to tighten oversight over faculty expenses.
Details from the Fayetteville Police Department state Baptist was arrested following an alleged domestic incident involving his wife. Police reports indicate that the case is active, and further legal proceedings are pending.
Meanwhile, the UA Fayetteville Board of Trustees upheld the termination decision against Baptist earlier this year, reaffirming the university’s stance on financial misconduct. University officials emphasized their commitment to maintaining accountability in handling public resources.
This episode adds to ongoing scrutiny of expense management within Arkansas’s public institutions. The UA system has faced criticism in recent years over instances of misuse of funds, and Baptist’s case is among the more high-profile examples in the Fayetteville campus’s recent history.
Najja Baptist, whose academic role involved instruction in the humanities department, had been with UA Fayetteville since 2018 before being placed on administrative leave late last year amid the audit. The university declined to comment further on the domestic battery charges, citing the ongoing investigation.
The arrest highlights personal legal troubles compounding professional misconduct issues Baptist faces. His wife’s divorce filing came shortly after the arrest, according to court records obtained from Washington County Circuit Court.
The university continues its internal review of expense policies and has announced plans to implement stricter controls and regular audits on employee expenditures. This aligns with statewide efforts to ensure transparency in public higher education funding.
The case remains under investigation by Fayetteville law enforcement and may have implications beyond the immediate charges as authorities examine the domestic battery complaint alongside previous allegations involving university funds.
Readers interested in state higher education governance and local legal developments may find further details on the Arkansas Times coverage of the story and related UA Fayetteville board decisions.
Source: Arkansas Times
