The Abia State Government has dismissed six officers from the Ministry of Justice following an internal audit and administrative inquiry that found they manipulated payroll systems to receive inflated salaries
The statement, signed Thursday by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze, identified the dismissed officers as: Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12); Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10); Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 14); Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 13); Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12); and Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09).
The government said the disciplinary action followed a thorough investigation by the Civil Service Commission, which reviewed financial records and interrogated the officers, concluding that they had “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
The statement noted that Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, also initially investigated, was cleared of wrongdoing after promptly reporting an overpayment and taking steps to rectify it.
The inquiry also raised concerns about possible involvement of some members of the Salary Committee in the scheme. The governor has directed a separate investigation into the committee’s activities to ensure full accountability.
Those formally indicted will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Eze said the dismissals reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency and a “zero tolerance for corruption in public service,” urging civil servants to report suspected irregularities through confidential channels.
The development follows the recent declaration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Christopher Enweremadu, a former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, as wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
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