Ebonyi governor suspends over 80 officials over absenteeism

• The governor’s directive affected commissioners, permanent secretaries, senior special assistants, and special assistants.
• The affected officials will forfeit their monthly salaries during the one-month suspension.

The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended over 80 top government functionaries for failing to attend an important state function.

The affected officials include 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants and 22 permanent secretaries.

The governor said the suspension would last one month without salary.

Nwifuru directed that none of the suspended officers should sign any official document during the sanction period.

He also ordered the commissioners affected to hand over immediately to their respective permanent secretaries.

The suspension takes immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Monday, the governor’s chief press secretary, Monday Uzor, announced the names of those affected.

Among the commissioners suspended are Stanley Mbam, Leonard Uguru, Mathew Nwobashi, Nwogo Obasi, Victor Chukwu, Jude Okpor, Ikeuwa Omebe and Chidi Onyia.

Others include Oguzo-Offia Nwali, Ben Odo, Donatus Ilang, Ngozi Obichukwu, Moses Ikenna, Richard Idike, Felicia Nwankpuma, Chinedu Nkah and Ogbonna Abara.

Also suspended are Nkechinyere Iyioku, Francis Ori, Tochukwu Okorie, Valentine Uzo, Sunday Inyima, Ogbonnaya Okorie, Elechi Elechi and Stanley Ogbuewu.

The senior special assistants affected are Bassey Chukwu, Rose Ofoke, Kerian Ofoke, Anthony Nwegede, Onu Nwonye, Lilian Nwachukwu, Fred Nwogbaga, Paul Nwogha and Pius Nwoga.

Others include Ali Ikechukwu, Nwiboko Chukwuma, Esther Nwogha, Caleb Onwe and Chinedu Awo.

The list also includes 24 special assistants such as Mbam Emmanuel, Tobias Ogbonna, Easy Uzo, Obinna Enyim, Chima Okoro, Nwali Amechi, Sabinus Nwibo, Okorie Jideofor and Sunday Ogenyi.

Others are Stanley Kamani, Ikechukwu Jideofor, Emeka Onwe, David Aja, Frank Uka, John Nwangbo, Ogbonna Melford Nwifuru, Ifeanyi Ujebe, Chima Ogbuagu and Kizito Nwenyi.

Also suspended are Uwa Ifeanyi, Elechi Solomon, Ibina Ogbonna, Mbam Ifeanyi and Nwigum Christian.

The permanent secretaries affected include Lawrence Ezeogo, Isioma Arunne-Inyang, Rose Ibe, Ogechi Nwobasi, Anwu Theresa, Lynda Alo, Monday Nkwuda, Mary Otozi, Martina Obiya and Ogechi Anaso-Kalu.

Others are Emmanuel Onwe, Henry Nworie, Joy Mbam, Henrietta Oruh, Peter Ede, Gabriel Odo, Mfon Williamson, Alusi Felicia, Betty Uzoma and Chukwuma Ojeogu.

Also suspended are Ikechukwu Alobu and Fidelis Nwankwo.

Uzor said the governor’s decision was to instil discipline and accountability in the state’s public service.