UMUAHIA, Abia State — The Abia State Government has dismissed six senior officers of the Ministry of Justice after an internal audit and administrative inquiry uncovered payroll manipulation schemes that enabled them to receive excess salaries.
The action was contained in a statement issued Thursday by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze.
The affected officers are:
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Mr. Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12)
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Mrs. Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10)
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Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 14)
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Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 13)
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Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 12)
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Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties, SGL 09)
According to the Commission, a detailed review of financial records confirmed that the officers “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
However, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was also investigated, was cleared of wrongdoing after promptly reporting an overpayment and taking immediate corrective steps.
The statement further revealed that the inquiry raised serious concerns about the possible complicity of some members of the Salary Committee, with Governor Alex Otti directing a separate probe into their activities to ensure accountability.
Those indicted will be handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies for prosecution, Eze added, stressing that the dismissals underscore the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption in public service.
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Civil servants were also urged to report suspected irregularities through confidential whistleblowing channels.
The development comes just days after the EFCC declared Christopher Enweremadu, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, wanted over allegations of conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
