Abia Govt Sacks 6 Justice Ministry Workers Over Salary Padding Fraud
The Abia State Government has dismissed six officials of the state Ministry of Justice after they were indicted in a salary padding scandal, PulseNets learnt on Friday in Umuahia.
The revelation was obtained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Mrs Eno Jerry-Eze, and made available to journalists. PulseNets reported that the action followed an internal audit and administrative inquiry which exposed fraudulent activities within the payroll system.
According to Mrs Jerry-Eze, “the affected staff members deliberately manipulated salary records to unlawfully obtain payments above their lawful entitlements over a period of time.”
The dismissed workers are identified as Dickson 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 Erondu, Principal Executive Officer, Accounts (SGL 12), and Hannah Eze, Senior Executive Officer, General Duties (SGL 09).
PulseNets learnt that the disciplinary measure came after a thorough investigation by the Abia State Civil Service Commission. The probe involved interviews with the indicted officials and a detailed review of financial records, which confirmed that they had knowingly benefited from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.
Mrs Jerry-Eze also told PulseNets that “another staff member, Chioma Madu, who was investigated alongside them, was cleared of wrongdoing because she immediately reported an overpayment and ensured corrective steps were taken.”
She further explained that the sacked workers will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
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While urging other civil servants and stakeholders to uphold honesty and promptly report irregularities, she said, “Governor Alex Otti has directed that the activities of some members of the salary committee be probed to guarantee full accountability.”
This decisive move by the Abia State Government, PulseNets learnt, is part of wider reforms aimed at sanitising the civil service and curbing corruption in payroll management.
