The Abia State Government has dismissed six officers of the Ministry of Justice after an internal audit and administrative inquiry uncovered alleged manipulation of the state’s payroll system to receive excess salaries.
In a statement on Thursday, the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze, named the affected civil servants as a Principal Accountant (SGL 12), Senior Accountant (SGL 10), Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 14), Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 13), Principal Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 12) and Senior Executive Officer (General Duties, SGL 09).
According to the government, the disciplinary action followed a detailed investigation by the State Civil Service Commission, which independently reviewed financial records and interrogated the officers before concluding they had “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
The statement added that Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was initially investigated, had been cleared of wrongdoing after she promptly reported the overpayment and took steps to correct it.
It further disclosed that the inquiry raised serious concerns about possible complicity by some members of the Salary Committee in the alleged scheme. Governor Alex Otti has therefore ordered a separate probe of the committee’s activities to ensure full accountability.
Eze said those formally indicted would be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution, stressing that the dismissals reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency and “zero tolerance for corruption in public service.”
The government also urged civil servants to report suspected irregularities through confidential channels.
