Governor Umahi suspends Ebonyi attorney-general, solicitor-general

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Augustine Nwankwagu, for non-commitment to duty.

The governor also indefinitely suspended the state Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the ministry of Justice, Mr Jonathan Okoronkwo for the same reason.

The governor announced the suspensions in Abakaliki in Abakiliki after the duo failed to turn-up for the swearing-in of the new auditor-general of the state and members of the state judicial service commission.

The officers also failed to witness the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed caretaker chairmen of some local government areas and development centre coordinators in the state.

According to the governor, the officers have been absent on such occasions thrice in the past as it caused serious embarrassment to the state government.

“This suspension will end the ceaseless embarrassment brought to the state by such absenteeism as the executive council members should convey the message to them, he said.

He subsequently appointed his Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Mr Uwabunkonye Anwusi to act as the attorney general and supervise the affairs of the ministry.

Nwankwagu was the Speaker of the state House of Assembly from 2007 to 2011.