No fewer than two permanent secretaries and about six substantive directors (names withheld), serving in the Imo State civil service, have been summarily suspended by Governor Rochas Okorocha, for alleged fraudulent acts.
Government’s action, which was aired severally on the airwaves of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, Owerri, also ordered the affected officials to immediately handover to the most senior staff in their respective establishments.
Governor Okorocha equally warned heads of accounts and directors of administration that they would henceforth, be held liable for any maladministration or fraudulent acts in their respective establishments.
Vanguard gathered that one of the affected officials, who allegedly defrauded the state government to the tune of N45 million, may be handed over to the anti-graft agency for interrogation and possible prosecution.
It was also gathered that apart from being forced to proceed on indefinite suspension without salary and pension, government appears bent on getting them to refund every kobo they allegedly appropriated illegally.
Similarly, there are credible indications that more workers will face the same music as government has focused its searchlight on the activities of other suspected fraudsters in civil service garb.
A credible source in Government House, Owerri, disclosed that Governor Okorocha has ordered that the dossier of all those who either falsified their dates of birth or length of service, should be forwarded to him for “proper disciplinary action”.