Abia Governor Dismisses Six Civil Servants Over Salary Padding, Hands Them to Police

Umuahia, September 5, 2025

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed six civil servants in the Ministry of Justice after an investigation revealed their involvement in salary padding. The affected officials have been handed over to the police for prosecution.

The Abia State Civil Service Commission conducted an inquiry into irregularities in the payroll of the Ministry of Justice. The commission found that some officers manipulated salary records to receive unauthorized payments. Seven staff members were investigated; six were indicted.

The following officers were dismissed after being indicted by the commission:

• Mr. Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12)

• Mrs. Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10)

• Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 14)

• Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 13)

• Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12)

• Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09)

Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, initially part of the probe, was cleared after evidence showed she reported the overpayment and assisted with corrective action.

The six indicted officials have been handed over to the Nigeria Police for investigation and possible prosecution. Governor Otti has also ordered a separate probe into the activities of the Salary Committee to determine whether any committee members were complicit.

The Otti administration described the action as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability in the public service and warned that financial malpractice will attract strict sanctions.