By Elijah Ugani
The 8th Governing Council of the Federal College of Education Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the Provost of the College, Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku for maladministration and gross misconduct.
In a letter made available to TheLumineNews and signed by Mr Evans O. Iyenya, Registra/Secretary of Council, with Ref No: FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, and captioned “LETTER OF SUSPENSION AND GENERAL INEFFICIENCY”. The Registrar noted that “I am directed to inform you that 8th Governing Council is in receipt of allegations and series of complaints against you from Deans of Schools, the three Unions in the College; COEASU, SUUCOEN, 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 8th Governing Council in its 5th Regular meeting directed that you proceed on a Three months suspension at the first instance with effect from 14th October, 2025 pending the conclusion of investigation.
You are hereby directed to handover all college properties and official documents to the Deputy Provost.”
It is alleged that the Provost has been having a running battle with the major unions in the College because of his style of administration, high-handedness, lack of transparency and insensitivity to staff welfare.
The latest storm that is brewing in the College is the auctioning of about 15 College vehicles of various brands by the Provost to his cronies and family members without due process. A move that the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) describe as “Kangaroo Auctioning of College Property”
Documents obtained indicate that COEASU has given the suspended Provost till Tuesday 14th October 2025 to return the vehicles or they’ll down tools.