Council sacks FCE Obudu provost over alleged misappropriation of N125 million

The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, Cross River State, has sacked the Provost, James Ejue, for allegedly misappropriating N125million Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Council took the decision after reports of the alleged misuse of the N125 million, which earlier led to suspension of the Bursar, Ushie Sixtus.A letter was sent to the Provost directing him to hand over to the Deputy Provost, Mecha Kalu Uduma.It reads: “The Provost should hand over to the Deputy Provost, Mecha Kalu Uduma. Governing Council graciously invites the Minister of Education to approve its recommendation to restore sanity in the College.”

However, when contacted, Chairman of the Governing Council, Anthony Obi, said Ejue’s suspension was not meant for public consumption. “The information is not for public consumption. It is still under investigation, as far as the council is concerned. We have not made anything public,” Obi stated

But a source in the College confirmed that the Provost was recommended for suspension based on alleged misappropriation of funds in connivance with the Ushie, who has been on suspension since September 29 last year.Efforts to reach Ejue were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to his cell phone.

When contacted, Ushie declined comment on the matter saying, “I have not received any letter to the effect that my suspension has been extended by the governing council.”

Spokesman of the college, Justin Egba, told newsmen on phone that nothing much was happening since the Provost was suspended, as the College was waiting for the report of the committee set up by the Governing Council to investigate the allegations of embezzlement.

“The Governing Council has set up a committee to look into the College’s records and it is when the council committee comes out with the report that we will know the next line of action.“The Committee may take two weeks or even one month because they need to do thorough job. But in the interim, the Provost is under suspension to pave way for the investigations,” he said.