Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, suspended Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Commissioner for Health, and Francis Ori, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, following allegations of misconduct and negligence.
The suspensions were announced on Monday during a State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, on Tuesday morning confirmed the action.
It read: “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and a three-month suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health.”
The suspensions come amid reports of alleged misconduct within the Ministry of Health, where several officials were accused of stealing government property.
Additionally, concerns about the underperformance of the Housing Commissioner and his poor management of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in Ishielu Local Government Area contributed to the decision.
The Governor’s actions follow an incident on Saturday night when he visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and discovered six officials allegedly involved in diverting government materials.
He immediately ordered their arrest and subsequent prosecution.
