Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has suspended the state commissioner for health Dr. Moses Ekuma and the commissioner for housing and urban development Francis Ori, citing cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duty.
The suspensions announced during the state executive council meeting held on Monday in Abakaliki were confirmed in a statement by the commissioner for information and state orientation, Jude Okpor.
The 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 suspensions are believed to be tied to specific incidents of misconduct. Ekuma’s suspension followed the alleged theft of government property by officials of the Ministry of Health while Ori’s indefinite suspension was reportedly linked to poor performance and mishandling of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The situation escalated after Governor Nwifuru made an unannounced visit to the Ministry of Health on Saturday night. During the visit, six officials were reportedly caught attempting to divert government-owned materials. The governor ordered their immediate arrest and prosecution.
