Abia community honours ex-commissioner cleared of financial mismanagement

There was jubilation at Amaokwe Item, Bende LGA of Abia state on Saturday as the community members trouped out to recieve their daughter, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo who was cleared of stealing and mismanagement of Abia public fund by a government committee.

The former Commissioner was earlier suspended by Governor Alex Otti in June to allow for investigation into allegations of gross misconduct levelled against her but she resigned her job in July.

But on Friday, Governor Otti during his monthly media chat, disclosed that the former health Commissioner has been cleared of stealing and mismanagement of funds by a comittitee set up by his administration to investigate her activities in office.

Recieving their daughter at mini stadium during the 2024 Amaokwe women’s August conference , the indigenes said that their daughter gave a good account of her service in health sector to Item people and Abians in general and expressed satisfaction that she has been cleared of the allegations of brought against her.

The President General of Amaokwe Item welfare Union, Harrison Eze Okorie and the National President of the women wing, Mercy Kesandu Uko presented awards of honour to the former Commissioner.

In her speech, the former Commissioner, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo expressed joy at being cleared of financial impropriety and thanked Governor Otti for giving her the opportunity to serve in his administration and appealed to Item indigenes to maintain their support for his administration.

“We have been exonerated. We had the choice to do the right thing and we did it”, said Ngozi.

Abia state government officials led by the Commissioner for trade and commerce, Chimezie Ukaegbu who were at the event, said that the former health Commissioner served the government and the people well before her exit.