The Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Agbo Ochekpe, has resigned from his appointment over a controversial introduction letter for an admission seeker at the University of Kinshasa, Congo.
Ochekpe had issued the letter to someone who he said was introduced to him by his pastor without due approval.
There was uproar in the government circle about the purported introduction letter signed by the permanent secretary as the permanent secretary was accused of corrupt practices.
However, the state Head of Service, Agbogbo Ode, clarified to journalists on Tuesday that the issue was a case of “pure ignorance” on the part of the affected permanent secretary, dismissing claims that the introductory letter was an act of corruption.
Contrary to rumours of dismissal, the Head of Service confirmed that Ochekpe was not fired but he resigned.
He said, “The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management did not resign on account of corruption. In fact, he is one of the most hardworking PS.
“It was just a case of ignorance. In law, ignorance is not an excuse. Some time ago, a pastor based in Gboko introduced a family to the PS that one of their wards got admission to study at the University of Kinshasa, Congo.
“The pastor requested the permanent secretary to do a letter of introduction to enable the ward to go for his studies and he (the PS) admitted that he did not consult the commissioner, nor did he seek permission before attending to it, because he felt it was an ordinary matter to issue the letter.
“As we are talking (Tuesday afternoon), the beneficiary of that letter, unless you bring him and say this is the person you issued a letter to, he (the PS) did know him.
“He admitted the whole thing and apologized. He also takes responsibility. He has submitted his letter of resignation and is handing over as we speak,” Ode said.
The HOS also said a director of Planning and Research in the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives had been directed to proceed on an indefinite suspension, over his involvement in a missing transformer.
He said the report of the committee set up to investigate the alleged theft of the transformer indicted the permanent secretary.
Ode disclosed that another four senior staff members in the state civil service had been directed to proceed on suspension, for allegedly vandalising a transformer at the Secretariat.
He said the state government would not tolerate any form of indiscipline from workers.
