Umahi sacks Perm Sec over extortion
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has suspended the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Martin Uguru, indefinitely for extortion of civil servants.
The suspension which took effect from April 1, 2022, is contained in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Emmanuel Obasi.
Mr Obasi stated that Mr Umahi condemned the collection of kickbacks from recently promoted civil servants in which the permanent secretary was found complicit.
“The money demanded by civil servants in charge of the process was for the typing and collection of the document containing details of the promotion, they claimed.
“The governor directed the Secretary to the State Government to issue the letter of indefinite suspension to the permanent secretary for his complicity in the scam.
“All heads of administration and persons involved in this exploitation are to forfeit one month’s salary each.
“The concerned heads of administration are hereby directed to fully refund all monies collected from the newly-promoted civil servants.
“The refund should be paid directly to their bank accounts and such officials should submit the bank tellers to the Principal Secretary to the governor within 48 hours.
“Failure to comply with this directive attracts dismissal from the state civil service,” the statement read.
The statement observed that if there were requirements to process relevant promotion documents as claimed, such requirements should be brought to the notice of the state governor by the Office of the Head of service.
“That is the proper thing to do rather than resorting to exploitation of the newly-promoted civil servants,” the statement read.
Mr Umahi also directed the posting of the Permanent Secretary in charge of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to the Office of Head of Service in acting capacity.
“The concerned official will still be in charge of UBEB.
“The permanent secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment is posted to the Ministry of Business Development with immediate effect,’’ Mr Obasi stated.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Baze University acquires two training aircraft for aviation school
Mr Baba-Ahmed said this milestone would significantly advance national development and boost capacity in the aviation sector.
States
Customs hand over LPG consignment intercepted at Akwa Ibom to NMDPRA
Ms Okor-Odey described the handover as a practical demonstration of inter-agency cooperation and regulatory responsibility.
NationWide
Aviation unions oppose FG’s plan to abolish 5% ticket, cargo sales charges
Mr Ocheme said that any review of aviation charges must follow transparent statutory procedures.
States
NAFDAC warns Imo patent medicine dealers against selling fake, expired drugs
According to the NAFDAC boss, commercial interests must never justify endangering public health.
Economy
N1,300/$1: Naira would have become worthless without my policy, Tinubu says
Mr Tinubu announced the unification of exchange rates a few days into his administration in 2023.
Lagos
Customs boss decries 20-year abandonment of power equipment at ports
Mr Adeniyi described the abandonment of equipment procured with public funds as irresponsible.
