The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the Provost, Dr. Ugbaha Utubaku, over alleged maladministration and gross misconduct.

The suspension was communicated through 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, the decision followed multiple petitions from the Deans of Schools, the three major staff unions — the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) — as well as the Director of Procurement.

The petitions accused Utubaku of auctioning unserviceable college vehicles and other assets to close associates and family members without following due process. The act was said to contravene the Federal Government’s White Paper on the report of the 2011–2015 visitation panel into the College’s affairs.

Part of the letter read, “The 8th Governing Council has received allegations and series of complaints against you from the Deans of Schools, the three Unions in the College — COEASU, SSUCOEN, NASU — and the Director of Procurement for secretly auctioning the college’s unserviceable vehicles and other irregularities. This action 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).”

Following deliberations at its 5th Regular Meeting, the Council directed Utubaku to proceed on a three-month suspension effective October 14, 2025, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.

The suspended Provost is also accused of high-handedness, poor staff relations, and a lack of transparency in the management of college affairs.

Meanwhile, COEASU has issued an ultimatum, demanding that Utubaku return the auctioned vehicles by October 14, 2025, or face industrial action.

The Governing Council assured the public that the move was taken to safeguard institutional integrity, ensure accountability, and restore confidence in the College’s leadership.