The Abia State Government has approved the dismissal of six officers of the Ministry of Justice after they were indicted in a salary padding scheme uncovered through an internal audit and administrative inquiry.
According to the government, the affected officers were found to have manipulated the payroll system, resulting in the unlawful receipt of excess salaries over an extended period, in clear breach of public service rules and financial regulations.
The decision was formally conveyed in a statement signed by Eno Jerry Eze, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, confirming the disciplinary measures taken against the indicted officers.
Those dismissed include: Mr. Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12); Mrs. Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10); Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 14); Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 13); Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12); and Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09).
The government explained that the disciplinary action followed a thorough investigation by the Civil Service Commission, which independently interrogated the officers, examined relevant financial records, and confirmed that they knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the State.
However, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was initially under investigation, was cleared of any wrongdoing after it was established that she promptly reported the overpayment and took immediate steps to rectify the anomaly.
The statement further disclosed that the dismissed officers would be handed over to appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution. It also urged all civil servants to uphold integrity and report suspected irregularities, while noting that Governor Alex Otti has ordered a separate probe into the activities of certain members of the Salary Committee to ensure full accountability.
