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FCE Obudu Provost Suspended Over Alleged Misconduct, Maladministration

Published

1 month ago

October 18, 2025

…. 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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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

5 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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