By Ben Ngwakwe
A coalition of civil society organisations on Friday called for the immediate removal of Dr Gaza Lazarus, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, over allegations of abuse of office, impunity, and disregard for due process.
The Amalgamated Joint Action Committee of Concerned Gombe State Civil Society Organizations (JACGSCSO) made the demand in a statement dated September 10, 2025, and signed by its convener, Muhammad Idris. The statement, which was obtained by our correspondent on Friday in Gombe, was addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the group, the Governing Council under Dr. Lazarus is allegedly taking unjust disciplinary actions against four principal officers of the college — Mohammed Umar Bello, College Registrar; Mohammed Ibrahim Malam, Director of Works; the College Librarian; and Ibrahim Shehu, Senior Deputy Registrar and Internal Council Member representing the College Congregation.
The civil society coalition alleged that the disciplinary moves were based on suspicions that the officers sponsored or participated in an anonymous petition against the council chairman and the provost.
“We are writing to register our strongest objection to the ongoing attempts by the Governing Council, under your leadership, to orchestrate disciplinary actions against principal officers based on unsubstantiated allegations,” the statement read.
The group reminded Dr. Lazarus that the Tinubu administration has “zero tolerance for impunity and abuse of office” and would not hesitate to dissolve the council if the alleged actions continued.
The statement cited Section 14 of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, which requires investigations and properly constituted panels before disciplining principal officers. It also referenced Chapter 3 of the Public Service Rules, particularly Rules 030302 and 030304, which stipulate fair hearing and substantiated evidence before sanctions, as well as Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees fair hearing.
The coalition also drew attention to corruption investigations reportedly ongoing against the provost by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“Your attempt to punish principal officers over unproven suspicions reeks of intimidation and raises the disturbing possibility of shielding wrongdoings and silencing potential whistleblowers,” the group stated.
JACGSCSO further alleged that while union leaders who wrote a signed petition against Dr. Lazarus in the past were not sanctioned, one of them was instead promoted to Deputy Provost.
“This is a glaring example of double standards, bias, and selective victimisation,” the statement said, noting that the affected officers had denied the allegations with no evidence presented against them.
The group also raised concerns about conflict of interest, alleging that Hon. Garba Barambu, an external member of the council from Gombe State, was simultaneously serving on the governing councils of both the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, and the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“Despite awareness of this illegality, the chairman and the provost have failed to report it, allowing a breach that could erode public trust,” the group claimed.
The coalition demanded the suspension of all disciplinary proceedings against the affected officers and urged the council to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
It warned that if its demands were ignored, it would escalate the matter to the Ministry of Education, the National Assembly Committees on Education, EFCC, and ICPC, while also petitioning President Tinubu for Dr. Lazarus’s removal and a comprehensive probe.
“Sir, you must be reminded that you are a public servant and are bound by extant laws to manage this institution transparently, not as a personal estate,” the statement read.
The group maintained that the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, is a public institution that must be managed in line with accountability, fairness, and the rule of law.
