Abia Govt Dismisses Six Civil Servants Over Salary Padding
The Abia State Government has dismissed six officials of the Ministry of Justice over their involvement in a salary padding scheme uncovered during an internal audit and administrative inquiry.
The affected officers, indicted for manipulating the payroll system to unlawfully collect excess salaries over a sustained period, include:
1. Mr. Dickson Uche Eze – Principal Accountant (SGL 12)
2. Mrs. Esther Emeruwa – Senior Accountant (SGL 10)
3. Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan – Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 14)
4. Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo – Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 13)
5. Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu – Principal Executive Officer (Accounts, SGL 12)
6. Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze – Senior Executive Officer (General Duties, SGL 09)
The disciplinary measure followed a thorough investigation by the Abia State Civil Service Commission, which confirmed that the officers knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments at the expense of the state.
However, the Commission cleared Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu of wrongdoing, noting that she had promptly reported the overpayment and took immediate steps to correct it.
The probe also raised concerns about possible complicity of some members of the state’s Salary Committee. Governor Alex Otti has directed that the committee’s activities be subjected to further investigation to ensure full accountability.
The dismissed officers will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pst. Eno Jerry Eze (PhD), who announced the decision in a statement dated September 4, 2025, said the move demonstrates the government’s zero tolerance for corruption and commitment to transparency and discipline in the public service.
He urged civil servants and stakeholders to uphold integrity and report any suspected irregularities through confidential channels.
