NEWS

Abia State Dismisses Six Justice Ministry Officers Over Payroll Fraud

Published

2 months ago

September 5, 2025

The Abia State Government has dismissed six officers from the Ministry of Justice following an internal audit and administrative inquiry that found they manipulated payroll systems to receive inflated salaries.

The statement, signed on Thursday by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze, listed the dismissed officers as 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); and Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09).

The government said the action followed a thorough investigation by the State Civil Service Commission, which reviewed financial records and questioned the officers before determining they had “knowingly benefitted from irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.”

Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, who was also investigated, was cleared after promptly reporting an overpayment and taking immediate steps to correct it.

The investigation also raised concerns about possible involvement of some members of the Salary Committee in the scheme. The governor has ordered a separate probe into the committee’s activities to ensure accountability.

The dismissed officers will be handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Eze said the dismissals highlight the administration’s commitment to transparency and a “zero tolerance for corruption in public service” and urged civil servants to report suspected irregularities through confidential channels.

The development comes days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Christopher Enweremadu, a former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.