Some civil servants who were involved in various forms of pension fraud have been arrested by the Abia State government, and are to be arraigned in court soon.
This is even as some of the identified pensions who are based abroad are to be repatriated to face prosecution at home.
Governor Alex Otti stated this on Thursday evening at Government House Umuahia, while addressing the press during his monthly media chat with journalists.
Otti, who said that his administration had zero tolerance for corruption, disclosed that he has authorized that the suspects be arraigned in court in the next few days, even as he lampooned those defending one of the arrested pension fraud suspects.
“My question is somebody stole and I arrested him and you went to the press to say I shouldn’t arrest a thief, that means you are a thief.
“They are about 10 or 11. From the report I got, some of them are outside the country. We are going to repatriate them to answer to their sins,” he said.
On the relocation of Abia State University Umuahia campus back to Uturu main campus, the Governor said that the decision won’t be reversed despite complaints by the students.
He noted that the decision was in the best interest of the students, even as he assured that adequate accommodation, water and modern facilities would be put in place in Uturu.
Speaking on the continued blackout in Ohafia, Otti said that the recent inauguration of Greater Ohafia Development Authority by his administration was geared towards transforming the area and addressing the needs of the people.
He also disclosed that he has directed the State’s Commissioner for Finance and the Accountant General to address complaints by some civil servants about errors recorded in their salary payments.
