The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has directed the immediate suspension of all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service and the Head of Service.
The decision follows the recent inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of properties and funds belonging to the state government.
Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a press release, stated that Lady Joy Maduka, Director of the Ministry of Education, has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service (HOS) by the governor.
The press release further stated that all Permanent Secretaries, with the exception of John Pedro Iroakazi, the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, and the Solicitor General, Mrs U. G. Uche Ikonne are directed to hand over their duties to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The statement highlighted that the directive is effective immediately.
Governor Otti had earlier in the week inaugurated a five-member judicial inquiry tasked with the recovery of looted government property and funds.
The inquiry is headed by Hon. Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.).