Cynthia Ezegwu
The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the Provost, Dr. Ugbaha Utubaku, over allegations of maladministration and gross misconduct.
The suspension, which takes effect from October 14, 2025, was contained in a letter signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Evans Iyenya, with reference number FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, titled “Letter of Suspension and General Inefficiency.”
According to the letter made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the decision followed several petitions against the Provost from the Deans of Schools, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Director of Procurement.
The petitions accused Utubaku of auctioning the college’s unserviceable vehicles to cronies and family members without following due process, 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).
“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, and the Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning college unserviceable cars and other irregularities,” the letter stated.
It further added that the Council, at its 5th Regular Meeting, directed Utubaku to proceed on a three-month suspension pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.
READ ALSO: Provosts Urge FG to Exempt Health Colleges From Institution Ban
The suspended Provost was also accused of insensitivity to staff welfare, high-handedness, and lack of transparency in the administration of the institution.
Meanwhile, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has issued an ultimatum to Utubaku to return the auctioned vehicles by October 14, 2025, or face industrial action.
The Governing Council assured stakeholders that the decision was taken in the best interest of the College to ensure accountability and restore confidence in its leadership.