Abia State governor, Alex Otti, yesterday, suspended the state head of service, Onyii Wamah and all permanent secretaries in the state civil service except two with immediate effect.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Ukoh said this followed Otti’s inauguration of a panel of inquiry on the recovery of property and funds belonging to the government.
“Consequently, the governor has approved the appointment of Joy Maduka, director, ministry of education as the acting head of service,” the statement noted.
The statement directed the affected permanent secretaries to hand over to the most senior director in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
Those not affected are John Pedro Iroakazi, clerk of the House of Assembly, and U. G. Uche Ikonne, the solicitor general.
Meanwhile, Governor Alex Otti, on Tuesday, inaugurated a five-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government property and funds, with Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) as Chairman.
Speaking while inaugurating the panel at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, Gov. Otti said the essence of setting up the panel was to ensure the recovery of government funds and property that have been taken away.
According to the Governor, the setting up of the panel was necessitated by myriads of complaints from the public about looting of government property by some individuals adding that he has been inundated with petitions bordering on looting and maintained that it would amount to being insensitive to neglect the complaints which are affecting the daily running of government. OYO NEWS