The eighth Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, in Cross River State, has suspended the Provost, Dr Ugbaha Utubaku, over allegations of maladministration and gross misconduct.
The suspension was announced in a letter signed by the Registrar and Secretary of Council, Evans Iyenya, with reference number FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, titled “LETTER OF SUSPENSION AND GENERAL INEFFICIENCY.”
The decision was reached following a series of petitions against the Provost from the Deans of Schools, and the three major staff unions in the College — the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), and the Non-Academic Staff Union as well as the Director of Procurement.
The petitions accused Utubaku of auctioning the college’s unserviceable cars and other vehicles to cronies and family members without due process.
The action, according to the letter, violates the White Paper of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the visiting panel into the affairs of the College (2011–2015).
The letter read in part, “The 8th Governing Council is in receipt of allegations and series of complaints against you from Deans of Schools, the three Unions in the College; Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union in Colleges Of Education Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning of college unserviceable cars and other irregularities vehicles. This is in violation of the White Paper of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the visiting panel into the affairs of the College 2011–2015.”
Consequently, the Council, at its 5th Regular Meeting, directed that Utubaku proceed on a three-month suspension effective from October 14, 2025, pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.
The embattled Provost is further accused of insensitivity to staff welfare, high-handedness, and a lack of transparency in managing college affairs.
Meanwhile, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union has given Utubaku until October 14, 2025, to return the auctioned vehicles or face industrial action.
The Governing Council assured stakeholders that the decision was made in the institution’s best interest to ensure accountability and restore confidence in its leadership structure.
Source: Punch News
