Abia Govt sacks six ministry officials over fraud

The Abia State Government has dismissed six officials of the Ministry of Justice after an internal audit and administrative inquiry uncovered a payroll manipulation scheme that allowed them to receive excess salaries.

In a statement on Thursday, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pst. Eno Jerry Eze, said the disciplinary action followed a detailed investigation that confirmed the officers had “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the State.”

The affected staff are Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12); Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10); Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 14); Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 13); Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12); and Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09).

Eze noted that Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was also investigated, was cleared after she promptly reported the overpayment and corrected it. He added that the probe raised concerns about possible complicity by members of the state’s Salary Committee, which will now face a separate investigation.

The dismissed officials will be handed over to law enforcement for prosecution.

The statement stressed that the action reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency, discipline, and zero tolerance for corruption in the civil service.

“We urge all civil servants to report suspected irregularities through confidential channels,” Eze said.