By Abiola Olawale
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Tuesday announced his decision to suspend some members of his cabinet.
The Governor announced the indefinite suspension of the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori.
Also suspended is the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma. However, the Governor said Ekuma would only be suspended for three months.
Others suspended for three months include the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, the executive secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency.
This development was announced by the Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who addressed a press conference on Tuesday.
During the press briefing, Okpor said the officials were suspended for alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties.
Okpor added that the suspension of the officials were agreed on during the State Executive Council meeting which was held at the New Government House Abakaliki on Monday.
He stated: “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.
“Given the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner.”
Okpor further stated that Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties, including vehicles, to the Secretary of Government.
