Ebonyi:  Gov. Nwifuru suspends 2 commissioners over gross misconduct, to miss Xmas largesse

By Uchenna Okeh

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru on Tuesday, announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners for indulging in gross misconduct and dereliction of duties.

The embattled Commissioners include; commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Francis Ori and commissioner for Health, Mr. Moses Ekuma

Recall that the governor, Nwifuru had recently suspended the commissioner for water resources, Mr. Chinedu Nkah for the same reason of gross misconduct, bringing it to a total of 3 commissioners that are suspended.

The Commissioner for information and state orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State.

According to him: “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three (3) months suspension of the Commissioner for Health respectively.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the embattled commissioners are to proceed for three months suspension, and thereby would miss the governor’s Christmas largesse and other benefits accruable to the state government officials.

The governor, Nwifuru however ordered the embattled Commissioners to handover to the permanent secretary immediately.

Ukpor stated further that: “The commissioners are to proceed on a three-month suspension are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretaries of the State Primarily Healthcare Development Agency and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency.

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner.

“The suspended government officials are to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the Government on or before the close of work on Monday, November 25, 2024” he stated.