Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has reinstated 81 government officials previously suspended for failing to attend a state function deemed “important” by the administration.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Monday Uzor.
The suspension, announced on 28 July 2025, affected 87 government officials, including 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants, and 22 permanent secretaries. They were placed on a one-month suspension without pay for what the governor described as “dereliction of duty.”
Reports later revealed that the so-called important function was a burial ceremony held in honour of the mother of Innocent Elechi Ojiugwo, a close associate of the governor.
In the fresh statement on Tuesday, Uzor confirmed that Governor Nwifuru had “graciously lifted the suspension” for 81 of the affected officials and directed them to return to their offices with immediate effect.
“The governor directed the commissioners, senior special assistants, special assistants, and permanent secretaries who were suspended on the 28th of July, 2025, to resume official duties immediately,” the statement read.
However, Uzor did not clarify the status of the remaining six officials whose suspension remains in effect.