Ebonyi Gov Nwifuru suspends 2 Commissioners

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended two top government officials, citing gross misconduct and dereliction of duties.

The affected officials are Dr. Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Health, and Francis Ori, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

The suspension was announced on Monday during the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.

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According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, the suspension is indefinite for Ori, while Ekuma will be suspended for three months.

Okpor’s statement read, “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 the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.”

The development is believed to be connected to the alleged theft of property belonging to the Ministry of Health by its officials. Additionally, Ori’s underperformance and shoddy handling of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state are also thought to be contributing factors.

Governor Nwifuru’s decision to suspend the two commissioners comes on the heels of a recent incident at the health ministry’s premises.

On Saturday night, the governor paid an unscheduled visit to the ministry and caught six officials allegedly diverting government materials. He promptly ordered their arrest and eventual prosecution.

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