Otti suspends Abia Head of Service, Perm Secs
By Emma Ogbuehi
Following the inauguration of a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of properties and funds belonging to Abia state government, the governor, Alex Otti, has moved further in his administration’s pursuit of accountability by suspending the state’s Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries.
The affected officials served under the previous administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The suspension came in the wake of the newly inaugurated judicial panel of inquiry tasked with recovering assets and properties belonging to the Abia State Government. The move is seen as being in line with Otti’s avowal to institute transparent and committed leadership in the state.
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In line with this objective, the judicial panel of inquiry was set up to investigate alleged mismanagement of government assets during the previous administration and recover stolen ones.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko made available to TheNiche, indicated that the decision to relieve the Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries of their duties is aimed at avoiding interruption with the judicial panel’s investigation.
The release read: “Following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government, the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service”
In their place, Governor Otti has approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS).
The statement further directed the current Permanent Secretaries to hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
It however, noted that John Pedro Iroakazi, Clerk of the House; and Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne, Solicitor General, were not affected by the development.