In his relentless pursuit of accountability, Governor Alex
Otti of Abia State has taken a significant stride by suspending the state’s
Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries who served under the previous
administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
This decisive action comes in the aftermath of the
establishment of a judicial panel of inquiry, specifically tasked with
recovering assets and properties belonging to the Abia State Government.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Otti has
demonstrated a practical commitment to good governance and the retrieval of
misappropriated state resources.
In alignment with this objective, the judicial panel of
inquiry was instituted to investigate allegations of government asset
mismanagement during the preceding administration and to facilitate the
recovery of stolen assets.
A press statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press
Secretary, Kazie Uko, clarified that the decision to relieve the Head of
Service and the Permanent Secretaries of their duties is intended to ensure an
unhindered progress of the judicial panel’s investigation.
“As a result of the inauguration of the Judicial Panel
of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State
Government, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, the Governor, has directed the
immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries
in the State civil service,” Uko stated.
Furthermore, Governor Otti has approved the appointment of
Lady Joy Maduka, the Director of the Ministry of Education, as the Acting Head
of Service (HOS).
The current Permanent Secretaries have been instructed to
“hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries,
Departments, and Agencies.”
Uko did emphasize that John Pedro Iroakazi, Clerk of the
House, and Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne, Solicitor General, are exempt from this
development and remain unaffected by the suspension.
