The Abia State Government has dismissed six officers of the Ministry of Justice after uncovering a payroll fraud scheme that allowed them to collect excess salaries.
The decision, announced on Thursday in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze, followed an internal audit and administrative inquiry.
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)
- Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer, General Duties (SGL 09)
The state government explained that the disciplinary measure was taken after the Civil Service Commission independently reviewed financial records and interrogated the affected officers, concluding that they “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
However, the Commission cleared Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was initially investigated, after determining that she promptly reported the overpayment and took immediate steps to correct it.
The statement also revealed that the probe raised concerns about possible complicity of some members of the state’s Salary Committee, whose activities will now face a separate investigation ordered by Governor Alex Otti.
Eze added that those indicted will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution, stressing that the dismissals underscore the administration’s “zero tolerance for corruption in public service.”
He further urged civil servants to make use of confidential channels to report any irregularities.
The development comes just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared former Abia commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Christopher Enweremadu, wanted over alleged conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
