Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is said to have suspended his Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo.
She was said to have been suspended over allegations of financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
Reports say the Commissioner was suspended on Monday during the State Executive Council meeting.
Meanwhile, a top Government official who confirmed the suspension on Tuesday morning, said an independent audit panel had been set up to investigate her financial dealings.
The Official who pleaded for anonymity said she was asked to step aside so as not to interfere with her audit.
According to the source, the action of the Governor is in keeping with his zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct.
The source said: ” There were issues of transparency in the delivery of duties and the Governor felt that some actions are not in tandem with his vision for accountability and transparency. He then asked her to step aside for audit so that the process of audit will not be affected.
“It’s not as if it’s a death sentence or indictment. It’s just to strengthen the Governor’s resolve to ensure that there is accountability.
“The Governor said: “Step aside let’s look through some of the issues raised against you by some people concerning some of your conducts and delivery of your mandate as Commissioner for Health.
“You know we – the Governor and those who work with him – subject ourselves to public scrutiny. People keep sending in messages, and when you see a barrage of these messages coming against one person or Ministry, the best thing to do is to look into the activities of such a person or Ministry. And that’s what the Governor has done.
“Note that the Commissioner for Health has not been indicted for anything. What the Governor said is, “step aside let’s look into your activities. The Governor is committed to transparency and accountability, and he has zero tolerance for corruption.”
The Head of the State Orientation Agency, was also recently suspended for alleged misconduct.
Otti has severally said that his administration lacks patience for corrupt officials, vowing to expose and sanction any public officer found to be corrupt.
