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FCE Obudu Provost Suspended Over Alleged Misconduct, Maladministration

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…. Governing Council Acts on Staff Union Petitions Over Irregular Auction of College Vehicles


Joel Ajayi


The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the institution’s Provost, Dr. Richard Utubaku, following multiple allegations of gross misconduct, maladministration, and violations of public service regulations.


The suspension was formally communicated in a letter dated October 14, 2025, and signed by the College Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Evans Iyenya. The document, referenced FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, was titled “Letter of Suspension and General Inefficiency.”


Allegations and Petitions
According to the Governing Council, its decision followed a wave of petitions and formal complaints submitted by key stakeholders within the college community—including Deans of Schools, the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Director of Procurement.


The Registrar stated: “I am directed to inform you that 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—COEASU, SSUCOEN, NASU—and the Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning the College’s unserviceable cars and other irregularities in vehicle disposal. 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).”

The Council noted that Dr. Utubaku allegedly sold approximately 15 college vehicles—including official and utility cars—without due process, and in apparent contravention of federal regulations governing asset disposal. Several of the vehicles were reportedly acquired by individuals with close personal ties to the Provost.


Suspension and Interim Arrangements
Following deliberations at its 5th Regular Meeting, the Council resolved to place Dr. Utubaku on a three-month suspension, effective October 14, 2025.

He has been instructed to hand over all college property and official documents to the Deputy Provost to ensure continuity in administration during the investigation.


Mounting Tensions and Union Threats
Insider reports indicate that the Provost had been locked in a long-standing dispute with staff unions, who have consistently accused him of authoritarian leadership, lack of transparency, and failure to comply with established procedures.
In a recent petition, COEASU described the alleged auction as a “kangaroo exercise” and demanded the immediate reversal of the transactions.

The union issued an ultimatum to the Provost, insisting that all affected vehicles be returned to the institution by October 14, 2025. It warned that failure to comply would trigger industrial action, potentially paralyzing both academic and administrative activities on campus.


Governing Council’s Next Steps
In an effort to ease growing unrest and restore order within the institution, the Governing Council is expected to set up an investigative panel to thoroughly examine the allegations.

The panel will focus on the vehicle disposal process and other administrative actions taken under Dr. Utubaku’s leadership, with a mandate to determine whether government-approved procedures were violated.


As investigations begin, the atmosphere on campus remains tense, with staff and students closely monitoring developments and awaiting the Council’s final verdict.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

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Joel Ajayi

 The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.


He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.


According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.


“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.


The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.


“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said. 


Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said. 


He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media. 


He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.


According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.


Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs. 


He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.


We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.


The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.


He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.


Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself. 


He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.


“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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