Abia governor suspends commissioner over alleged ‘gross misconduct’

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has suspended the state Commissioner for Health, Ngozi Okoronkwo, for “gross misconduct”.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Kanu said the suspension of Ms Okoronkwo, a doctor, was to pave the way for an investigation into the allegations of gross misconduct made against her.

He did not provide details of the allegations against the suspended health commissioner.

He, however, said Governor Otti’s decision to suspend Ms. Okoronkwo is in line with his administration’s zero tolerance policy for misconduct.

He said the commissioner’s suspension was also consistent with the governor’s “strong adherence to the twin principles of transparency and accountability in governance.”

Kanu said the governor’s stance on misconduct ensures that the actions of “appointees must at all times be for the welfare and well-being” of residents Abia Country.

“The Abia State Government stands for good governance and the rule of law whereby persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“Accordingly, the administration is diligently investigating and establishing facts regarding violations or misconduct detected through the internal monitoring and feedback system,” he said.

“In light of these developments, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeyinwa Kalu will work with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Azodo, to manage the affairs of the ministry on an interim basis pending the outcome of further investigation into the allegations made against Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo.”

This is the first time it is publicly known that a commissioner has been suspended or completely removed from office during his last year in office.