The Abia State Government has dismissed six civil servants from the Ministry of Justice after uncovering a salary padding scheme.

According to a statement by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Eno Eze, the disciplinary action followed a detailed internal audit and investigation. The probe revealed that the affected officers had manipulated the state’s payroll system to receive excess payments.

Those dismissed include:

A Principal Accountant (SGL 12)

Senior Accountant (SGL 10)

Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 14)

Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 13)

Principal Executive Officer (Accounts – SGL 12)

Senior Executive Officer (General Duties – SGL 09)

The Commission said the workers were found guilty of deliberately benefiting from irregular payments, which resulted in financial losses for the state.

However, Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, another officer who was initially under probe, was cleared after investigators confirmed she reported the overpayment herself and immediately took steps to rectify it.

The government also expressed concern that some members of the Salary Committee may have been complicit in the fraud. Governor Alex Otti has ordered a separate probe into the committee’s activities to ensure accountability.

Eze added that the indicted officers would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.