BREAKING: Gov. Alex Otti Sacks Top 6 Civil Servants in Abia Over Salary Padding, Hands Them to Police
What happened — the headline facts
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has approved the dismissal of six senior officers in the state's Ministry of Justice after an internal audit and administrative inquiry found evidence of payroll manipulation and unlawful extra salary payments. The affected officers have been handed over to law enforcement for further investigation and prosecution. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Who were dismissed?
The state government statement (signed by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission) named the six dismissed officers as follows:
- 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)
These names and ranks were published in the official statement released by the Civil Service Commission and reported by multiple national outlets. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
How the scheme was discovered
According to the government, the scheme was uncovered during an internal audit and a follow-up administrative inquiry by the Abia State Civil Service Commission. Reviewers examined payroll records, interrogated staff, and found evidence that payroll systems were manipulated so some officers received excess payments over time. The Commission then formally recommended dismissal and referral to law enforcement. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Government response and next steps
The state described the action as part of a broader drive for transparency and a "zero tolerance" stance on corruption in the public service. The government also signalled further probes into the operations of the state's Salary Committee, which the inquiry suggested may have had members complicit in the irregularities. Those formally indicted will be handed over for prosecution, the statement said. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Who was cleared?
The inquiry reportedly cleared at least one officer who had been initially investigated after that officer promptly reported an overpayment and took steps to correct it. The government emphasised the importance of staff reporting irregularities through confidential channels. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Public reaction and context
News outlets and social platforms quickly carried the story, with commentators highlighting it as a demonstration of the administration's anti-corruption posture. Analysts note that this action follows similar steps taken by other state governments seeking to tighten payroll controls and recover public funds. At the same time, civil service unions and stakeholders commonly call for due process and transparent criminal investigations to protect innocent staff and ensure fair trials. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
What this means going forward
Immediate consequences include criminal investigations and possible prosecutions for those indicted. Administratively, the state has signalled reviews of payroll controls and the salary committee's processes to prevent recurrence. For the public and other civil servants, the case serves as a reminder that internal audits and whistleblowing channels are powerful tools in detecting and deterring payroll fraud. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Where this information came from
This article is based on the official statement issued by the Abia State Civil Service Commission and reports from national news outlets that covered the government's announcement. Key sources include Channelstv, Punch, Ripples Nigeria, Legit.ng and DailyPost. The portrait photo used above is the official governor's file photo from the Abia State website. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}