Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has suspended the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, due to misconduct allegations.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Okey Kanu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the suspension will allow for an investigation into the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Dr Okoronkwo.
He did not give details of the allegations raised against the suspended commissioner.
However, he stated that the governor’s action was in line with his zero-tolerance policy for misconduct of any kind and firm adherence to the twin principles of transparency and accountability in governance.
Mr Kanu said the governor’s stance on misconduct ensures that actions of “appointees must at all times advance the good and well-being” of residents of Abia State.
The statement read, “The Abia State Government is committed to good governance and the rule of law under which persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“Consequently, the administration is thorough in investigating and establishing facts of infractions or misconduct uncovered by its internal monitoring and feedback system.
“In light of these developments, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Kalu, will collaborate with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Mrs. Ngozi Azodo, to run the affairs of the Ministry in the interim pending the outcome of further investigations into the allegations against Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo”.
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