Abia state Governor Alex Otti has issued a directive for the immediate suspension of the Head of Service and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service, according to a late-night press release on Thursday.
The decision comes following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of properties and funds belonging to the Abia State Government.
In the press release, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that the Director of the Ministry of Education has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service by the governor.
The press release further stated that all Permanent Secretaries, with the exception of the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, and the Solicitor General are directed to hand over their duties to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The statement emphasized that the directive is effective immediately.
Earlier this week, Governor Alex Otti inaugurated a five-member judicial inquiry tasked with the recovery of looted government property and funds.