Ebonyi: Governor Suspends 85 Officials, Including 25 Commissioners, for Absenteeism at Public Function

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended 85 government officials for failing to attend an official state function.

According to a statement issued late Monday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Monday Uzor, the suspended officials include 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants, and 22 permanent secretaries.

The statement, which was made available to journalists in Abakaliki, said the suspension will last for one month, during which the affected officials will forfeit their salaries and are barred from signing or handling any official state documents.

They have also been directed to hand over to their respective supervising authorities.

The statement reads in part:“The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has directed that the underlisted government functionaries proceed on one-month working suspension without salary for failing to attend an important government function.”

The list of suspended commissioners includes:Engr. Stanley Mbam,Prof. Leonard Uguru,Dr. Mathew Nwobashi,Prof. Nwogo Obasi,Hon. Victor Chukwu,Engr. Jude Okpor,Hon. Chidi Onyia,Chief Oguzo-Offia Nwali,Dr. Ben Uruchi Odo,Dr. Donatus Ilang,Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu,Dr. Moses Ekuma Ikenna,Chief Richard Idike,Barr. Mrs. Felicia Nwankpuma,Hon. Chinedu Nkah,Engr. Ogbonna Obasi Abara,Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku,Engr. Francis Ori,Hon. Tochukwu Okorie,Barr. Valentine Okike Uzo,Chief Sunday Inyima,Hon. Ogbonnaya Okorie,Chief Elechi Elechi,Hon. Stanley Ogbuewu and Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe

Senior Special Assistants suspended include:

Hon. Bassey Chukwu

Mrs. Rose Ofoke

Mr. Kerian Ofoke

Hon. Anthony Nwegede

Hon. Onu Nwonye

Mrs. Lilian [surname not provided]

Mr. Fred Nwogbaga

Hon. Paul Nwogha

Hon. Pius Nwoga

Hon. Ali Ikechukwu

Hon. Nwiboko Chukwuma

Mrs. Esther Nwogha

Barr. Caleb Onwe

Hon. Chinedu Awo

The following Special Assistants were also sanctioned:

Mr. Mbam Emmanuel

Mr. Tobias Ogbonna

Mr. Easy Okike Uzo

Mr. Obinna Oko Enyim

Mr. Chima Nnachi Okoro

Mr. Nwali Amechi

Dr. Sabinus Nwibo

Mr. Okorie Jideofor

Mr. Sunday Ogenyi

Mr. Stanley Kamani

Additional names under Special Assistants include:

Mr. Ikechukwu Jideofor

Mr. Emeka Okpa Onwe

Mr. David Aja

Mr. Frank Uka

Mr. John Nwangbo

Mr. Ogbonna Melford Nwuruku

Mr. Ifeanyi Ujebe

Mr. Chima Ogbuagu

Mr. Kizito Nwenyi

Mr. Uwa Henry Ifeanyi

Mr. Elechi Okechukwu Solomon

Mr. Ibina John Ogbonna

Mr. Mbam Ifeanyi

Mr. Nwigum Nonso Christian

The statement did not disclose the specific nature of the government function the officials failed to attend but emphasized that the action was necessary to enforce discipline within the state administration.