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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has ordered the immediate suspension of all permanent secretaries in various Ministries, Agencies, and Departments, MDA’s in the state.
Katie Oko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor made this decision public in a statement yesterday.
The statement pointed out that Head of Service has been suspended also.
Oko explained that the development is coming against the backdrop of the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government.
Justice Florence Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe of the State High Court Umuahia was named the chairman of the panel.
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Other members of the panel are Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev Fr Alex Okonkwo, and Prof Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo.
However, in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Wednesday morning, Otti said he decided to set up a panel to recover the state’s assets because of large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former government officials.
Otti tweeted, ‘Honored to inaugurate the Judicial Panel focused on the recovery of Abia State’s assets.
‘Ordinarily, the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and the delivery of the dividend of democracy without resorting to any form of inquiry into past deeds.
‘However, in response to large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former officials. A very hostile handover with many assets inaccessible and operations starting from ground zero. Emphasizes the need for inquiry and accountability, as advocated by our citizens.’
‘Consequently, the Governor has approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS).
‘John Pedro Iroakazi – Clerk of the House; Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne – Solicitor General are by this notice directed to hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies,’ the statement reads in part.
