The Abia State Government has dismissed six civil servants from the Ministry of Justice after they were indicted in a salary padding scheme uncovered through an internal audit and administrative inquiry.
According to the Abia State Civil Service Commission, the officers were found guilty of manipulating payroll records to unlawfully receive inflated salaries over a sustained period.
Those affected include:
- 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)
The Commission stated that the decision came after a detailed investigation, which included reviewing financial records and interrogating the indicted staff. It was confirmed that the officers deliberately benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.
However, one officer initially under investigation, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, was cleared of wrongdoing. Officials noted that she promptly reported an overpayment and took immediate steps to correct the error.
The inquiry also raised red flags about possible complicity by some members of the state’s Salary Committee. Governor Alex Otti has directed that a separate probe be conducted into the committee’s activities to ensure accountability.
The six dismissed staff members will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pst. Eno Jerry Eze (PhD), emphasized that the action reflects the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, stressing that transparency, accountability, and discipline remain the cornerstone of the government’s public service reforms.
He also urged civil servants to uphold integrity and report any suspected irregularities through official channels.
