A permanent secretary in the Benue State civil service, Agbo Ochekpe, has resigned after admitting to issuing an introductory letter without following proper procedures.
The State Head of Service (HoS), Agbogbo Ode, clarified that Ochekpe’s resignation was voluntary, rejecting rumors of corruption or a forced dismissal, calling it a case of "pure ignorance."
Ochekpe, who served in the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, faced scrutiny after bypassing established channels by issuing an introductory letter to a family member who had secured admission to the University of Kinshasa in Congo.
The letter was issued without consulting the ministry's commissioner or seeking proper approval.
Speaking on the matter, the HoS confirmed that Ochekpe accepted full responsibility for his actions, apologized, and promptly resigned. “He admitted the whole thing and apologized, taking responsibility for his actions,” Ode said.
In the wake of this incident, the HoS also announced further disciplinary measures in the civil service.
A Director of Planning and Research in the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives has been indefinitely suspended for his involvement in the mysterious disappearance of a transformer, marking another scandal within the civil service.
While the situation with Ochekpe is being resolved, the Benue State government has emphasized the importance of strict adherence to procedures across all sectors of the administration.
This incident has renewed discussions on accountability and governance standards in public service roles.
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