Abia Sacks Six Civil Servants Over Salary Fraud

The Abia State Government has dismissed six senior civil servants from its Ministry of Justice after uncovering a salary fraud scheme that allegedly cost the state millions of naira. The discovery followed an internal audit and a subsequent administrative inquiry, which revealed that the officials had manipulated payroll systems for personal financial gain.

The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze. The disciplinary action, according to the commission, underscores the government’s resolve to rid the civil service of corruption and restore accountability in public finance management.

Those dismissed include Mr. Dickson Uche Eze, a Principal Accountant on Salary Grade Level 12; Mrs. Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant on Grade Level 10; Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer in the Accounts Department on Grade Level 14; Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer in Accounts on Grade Level 13; Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer in Accounts on Grade Level 12; and Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer in General Duties on Grade Level 9.

The investigation revealed that these officials deliberately tampered with payroll records to receive salaries and allowances in excess of what they were legitimately entitled to. The commission noted that the scheme was carried out over several months, during which the state lost funds that could have been channeled into essential development projects and the welfare of law-abiding workers.

While six officers were indicted, one of the staff members initially suspected, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, was cleared of wrongdoing. According to the statement, Mrs. Madu promptly reported an overpayment when she noticed the anomaly in her account and took immediate steps to rectify the error. The commission praised her honesty and encouraged other civil servants to emulate such transparency in the course of their duties.

Beyond the six officers dismissed, the inquiry also raised questions about the possible involvement of members of the state’s Salary Committee, the body responsible for overseeing payroll management. The report suggested that some committee members may have been complicit in approving or turning a blind eye to the fraudulent payments.

In response, Governor Alex Otti directed that the activities of the Salary Committee be subjected to a separate probe. The governor insisted that all individuals found culpable in the scheme, whether they are committee members or ministry staff, would face the full weight of the law. “The administration will not condone corruption in any form. This case is a wake-up call to all public servants that the era of impunity is over,” the governor’s directive read.

The commission emphasized that those indicted will not only lose their jobs but will also be handed over to law enforcement agencies for criminal prosecution. This move, it said, is intended to send a strong signal that fraud within the civil service attracts both administrative and criminal consequences.

Chairman Eno Eze reiterated that the dismissals reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption in the public sector. He urged other civil servants to maintain integrity in their roles and to report any suspected irregularities through confidential whistleblowing channels already provided by the government.

The timing of this development has drawn attention, as it comes just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared a former Abia commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Christopher Enweremadu, wanted over allegations of conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and money laundering. Analysts say the coincidence highlights the depth of the corruption challenges confronting the state and the urgency of reforms being championed by the current administration.

Civil society organizations in Abia have welcomed the government’s move. Some groups say it is a positive step toward rebuilding public trust in the state’s institutions, while others argue that the dismissals should be followed with comprehensive reforms to prevent similar scandals in the future. “The problem with the Nigerian civil service is that loopholes in payroll and procurement systems make it easy for insiders to cheat the system. Sacking culprits is good, but stronger oversight mechanisms must also be put in place,” one activist explained.

The case has also stirred discussions among ordinary workers in the state. Many civil servants who spoke informally to journalists expressed relief that action was taken against the erring officers, but they called for fairness in the forthcoming probe of the Salary Committee. Some argued that if junior staff were punished, senior officials who enabled the fraud must also be held accountable.

Meanwhile, governance experts have suggested that Abia should leverage modern digital payroll systems to eliminate manual interventions that create opportunities for manipulation. By integrating biometric verification and direct payment systems, they say, fraud of this nature can be drastically reduced.

For now, the six dismissed officers face an uncertain future as the state prepares to forward their cases to law enforcement authorities. If convicted, they may face prison terms and restitution orders in addition to losing their jobs. For the Abia State Government, however, the episode is being framed as part of its broader reform agenda to clean up the public service and reassure citizens that their taxes are being properly managed.

As investigations continue into the alleged complicity of Salary Committee members, all eyes are on the Otti administration to see whether it will match its anti-corruption rhetoric with comprehensive structural reforms.