Gov Otti suspends Head of Service, permanent secretaries

Governor Dr Alex Otti has issued a directive for the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HoS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service, according to a late-night press release on Thursday.

The decision comes following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of properties and funds belonging to the Abia State Government.

In the press release, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that Lady Joy Maduka, Director of the Ministry of Education, has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service (HOS) by the governor.

The press release further stated that all Permanent Secretaries, with the exception of John Pedro Iroakazi, the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, and the Solicitor General, Mrs U. G. Uche Ikonne (who is the wife of the late Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant Prof. Uche Ikonne), are directed to hand over their duties to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The statement emphasized that the directive is effective immediately.

Earlier this week, Governor Alex Otti inaugurated a five-member judicial inquiry tasked with the recovery of looted government property and funds. The inquiry is chaired by Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.)