July salary controversy: Governor Otti orders probe into shocking allegation

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The Director-General of the Office of the Due Process and Public Procurement Bureau in Abia State, Mr Oluebube Chukwu, has allegedly withheld the July 2026 salary of a Government House driver in Umuahia over an undisclosed offence.

Chukwu was accused of directing the Accountant-General of Abia State, Njum Uma-Onyemenam, to stop the junior worker’s July 2026 salary as punishment for the alleged offence, with the directive reportedly implemented by the Accountant-General.

The issue was brought before Governor Alex Otti on Thursday during his monthly media interaction with journalists in Abia State.

Reacting to the allegation, Otti said he was not aware of the action reportedly involving his Special Assistant and the state Accountant-General.

The governor expressed reservations about the possibility that the two officials could have taken such an unauthorised step and directed the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribeole, to gather further information and conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Otti maintained that the arbitrary or punitive withholding of a public servant’s salary was inconsistent with the principles of his administration.

“But as I said, even as the governor, I cannot instruct that somebody’s name be removed from the payroll.

“Even if I give such an instruction, you must follow due process,” Governor Otti said.

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