Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, except the Clerk of the House, John Pedro Iroakazi; and Solicitor General, Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne.
A statement late Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, said this followed the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government.
“Consequently, the Governor has approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS),” the statement said.
It directed all the affected Permanent Secretaries “to hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
“This directive takes immediate effect,” the statement said.
