Governor Otti Orders Dismissal of Six in Salary Padding Probe, One Exonerated

Abia State Government has approved the dismissal of six staff from the Ministry of Justice after they were implicated in a salary padding scheme uncovered during an internal audit and administrative inquiry.

The affected employees were found to have manipulated payroll systems, receiving unlawful excess salaries over an extended period. The dismissals were confirmed in a statement signed by Eno Jerry Eze, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission.

The six dismissed staff 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)

Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09)

Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was also investigated, was cleared of any wrongdoing after promptly reporting the overpayment and taking immediate corrective action.

The statement added that the dismissed officers would be handed over to law enforcement for prosecution. All civil servants were urged to maintain integrity and report suspected irregularities.

Additionally, Governor Alex Otti has directed a separate investigation into certain members of the Salary Committee to ensure full accountability.