By Adadareporters
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has suspended the state’s head of service and permanent secretaries. The affected officials served under the administration of ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
This was contained in a release by the governor’s chief press secretary, Kazie Uko. According to the release, the decision to suspend them was to avert interruptions in the judicial panel of inquiry which he recently set up to review some aspects of his predecessor.
It read, “Following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government, the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.”
Governor Otti then endorsed the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, director, Ministry of Education, as acting head of service (HOS). The permanent secretaries were directed to “hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies”.
Uko, however, noted that John Pedro Iroakazi, clerk of the House; and Mrs U. G. Uche Ikonne, solicitor general, were not affected in the development.
