The Abia State Government has dismissed six staff of the Ministry of Justice after investigations revealed their involvement in a payroll fraud scheme.
In a statement on Thursday, Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Eze, said the officers were found guilty of manipulating salary records to unlawfully collect excess payments.
Those dismissed include a Principal Accountant, Senior Accountant, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Principal Executive Officer (Accounts), and a Senior Executive Officer (General Duties).
Eze explained that the disciplinary action followed an internal audit and administrative inquiry, which confirmed that the officials had “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”
He added that while one staff member, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, was initially investigated, she was cleared after promptly reporting her overpayment and taking immediate steps to rectify it.
The Commission also raised concerns about possible complicity of members of the Salary Committee, prompting Governor Alex Otti to order a separate probe into their activities.
Those indicted will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. Eze stressed that the government remains committed to transparency, discipline, and zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
The government further urged civil servants and the public to report any suspected irregularities through confidential channels.
