Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has said that he will not take action on the funds diversion allegation against the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezuriike, until investigations are concluded, adding that she remains innocent until proven guilty.
The governor said this on Sunday during a service at the Government House Chapel, in the state capital, adding that the government was on top of the case.
Nwifuru asserted that Umezuriike was still presumed innocent until investigations into the matter proved otherwise.
He said: “I received the news of a publication, which is already before the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom about our Secretary to the State Government.
“I am a lawyer and know that it is imperative to establish the facts before judgment.
“This is to avoid setting wrong precedents.”
Nwifuru said he has taken a critical appraisal of some of his appointees’ performances in office.
He added: “I am dissatisfied with the failure of some appointees to deliver on their mandates.
“We are worried that the vision statement contained in our people’s charter of needs mantra has not been satisfactorily realised.”
He said the development accounted for the minor reshuffle he recently effected on his cabinet, adding: “Our mission and vision are explicit and that was why the people voted for us .
“We are still assessing the appointees and shall do the needful if the need arises.
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“I am ready to relieve non-performers of their jobs when the grace period given them elapses without commensurate performances.”
The governor appealed to leaders of the state to disregard social media critics and invest in the state.
“We assure of a conducive environment for your businesses to thrive,” Nwifuru said.
The Officiating Priest, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwu, urged the congregation to be true servants of God in order to make the society better.
Agwu said: “A true servant of God should be filled with perseverance, humility, and the spirit of paying attention to others.
“Christians should do what is right in God’s sight irrespective of pressure or persecution from people around them.”
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