A Benue State permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management Agbo Ochekpe, has resigned after issuing an introductory letter to someone without following proper procedure.
The State Head of Service, Agbogbo Ode, dismissed allegations of corruption against the permanent secretary, stating that it was a case of pure ignorance.
Although rumours say he was sacked, the HoS clarified that he voluntarily resigned.
He said, “The Permanent Secretary of Education and Knowledge Management did not resign on account of corruption.
In fact, he is one of the most hardworking PS.
The HOS said it was just a case of ignorance adding that in law ignorance is not an excuse.
“Some time ago, a Pastor based in Gboko introduced a family to the Perm Sec that one of their wards got admitted to study at the University of Kinshasa, Congo.
“That he should please do a letter of introduction to enable him go there for studies, and he (the Perm Sec) admitted that he did not consult the Commissioner, nor did he seek permission before attending to it because he felt it was ordinary to issue the letter.”The HOS said
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According to the HOS when this was discovered and they insisted that the affected Permanent Secretary produces the beneficiary of the letter he could not as he did not know him.
The HOS said the PS admitted the whole thing apologized, and took responsibility, he then submitted his letter of resignation and has handed over.
Additionally the HOS disclosed other disciplinary actions affecting other Ministries and Departments.
In the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives he said
a Director of Planning and Research has been suspended indefinitely over his involvement in a missing transformer.
He explained that the committee report set up to investigate the alleged theft of the transformer exonerated the ministry’s permanent secretary.
Ode also stated that four other senior staff members in the state civil service had been directed to proceed on suspension for allegedly vandalising a transformer at the Secretariat.
The HoS said that the state government would not tolerate any form of indiscipline from any worker.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
