The Abia Government has dismissed six staff of the Ministry of Justice indicted in a salary padding scheme.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Dr Eno Jerry-Eze, on Thursday and released to journalists on Friday in Umuahia.
Jerry-Eze explained that the fraud was discovered during an internal audit and administrative inquiry at the Ministry of Justice. She said the affected workers manipulated payroll systems, granting themselves unauthorised access to salaries above their approved entitlements.
Those dismissed are Mr Dickson 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 Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12), and Mrs Hannah Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09).
Jerry-Eze said the disciplinary action followed a thorough investigation by the Civil Service Commission, which included interviews with the affected staff and reviews of relevant financial records, confirming that they knowingly benefited from irregular payments.
She added that Mrs Chioma Madu, also investigated, was cleared of complicity after promptly reporting an overpayment and taking steps to rectify it.
According to her, the dismissed workers will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
She urged civil servants and others dealing with the state to uphold integrity and report suspected irregularities, adding that Gov. Alex Otti had directed an investigation into the activities of some members of the Salary Committee to ensure accountability.
(NAN)