The Abia State Government has dismissed six officials of the Ministry of Justice after an internal audit and administrative inquiry uncovered their involvement in manipulating the payroll system to receive excess salaries.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze.
The dismissed officers are 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); and Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties, SGL 09).
According to the statement, the dismissals followed a comprehensive investigation conducted by the State Civil Service Commission, which independently reviewed financial records and interrogated the implicated officers. The Commission concluded that the officials “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
The government also clarified that Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was initially under investigation, has been exonerated after she promptly reported the overpayment and took immediate steps to rectify the error.
The statement further revealed that the inquiry raised concerns about potential complicity by some members of the state’s Salary Committee. Governor Alex Otti has ordered a separate investigation into the committee’s activities to ensure full accountability.
“Those formally indicted will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution,” the statement added.
Chairman Eze emphasized that the dismissals reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency and its zero-tolerance stance on corruption in the public sector. He also encouraged civil servants to report suspected irregularities through confidential channels.
This development comes just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Christopher Enweremadu—a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters—wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
