By Okey Alozie
The trouble knocking at the door of the removed Accountant General of Imo State, Mrs Stella Udogwu, may continue as civil servants have asked for a probe of her activities while in office.
Following complaints from workers over delay in payment of salaries, the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha last week during the 40th year anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE last week handed Udogwu a surprised sack package from the AG’s office.
Further to the sanctions, workers have asked the State government to probe her activities arising from the delay associated in the payment.
Trumpeta learnt that the action of the governor raised suspicion that there could be foul play at the AG’s office while Udogwu was incharge warranting majority of those who spoke in favour of the governor’s action asking for a probe panel that could unravel possible financial mismanagement.
A source in the Ministry of Finance accused staffers in the AG’s office of alleged engagement in sharp practices by keeping workers’ salaries in private account to garner interest into their personal coffers thereby delaying payment of salaries.
This newspaper was further informed that the possibility of connivance between the management of the AG’s office and banks in the delay may have prompted the governor to demand for the arrest of two commercial back managers after removing Udogwu.
Unconfirmed reports have it that possibility of a secret deals between the AG’s office and mentioned banks may have led to delay in payment.
Our sources further revealed that the embattled Accountant General did not convince Governor Rochas Okorocha that she is competent to handle her job when they worker publicly chorused about non-payment of salaries as at when due. It would be recalled that the governor have in different fora revealed that he is not comfortable with delay in the payment of workers. Governor Okorocha recently raised eye’s brows on the Accountant General (Stelle Udogwu) for not acting fast on financial transactions that requires urgent attention.
