The Anambra State Government announced on Sunday that it will take appropriate measures to address a physical altercation and alleged “strangulation” between Chinwe Achugbu, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and an unidentified female Head of Department within the ministry.
Achugbu, recently appointed by Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was involved in the incident that reportedly occurred on Thursday, August 15. The altercation, which took place in the office, reportedly escalated into a strangulation that left the HOD unconscious.
Although the exact cause of the conflict remains unclear, sources indicate that it required the intervention of other staff members to separate the two.
The HOD was subsequently rushed to the Emergency Ward at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku-Awka and was later revived.
A source within the ministry, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that physical altercations have become a recurring issue among senior staff members, with subordinates hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of retaliation.
The source said, “Yes, the incident happened. Everything in that story happened. I was there that day and everything happened before my face. The two of them fought over a yet-to-be-disclosed matter and the PS tried to strangle the HOD, as she held her neck for several minutes.
“It was a very chaotic moment. It took the intervention of other persons around before normalcy returned after the HOD was rushed to the hospital because she fell into a coma.”
Another employee from the ministry confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity. They noted that the matter had not been formally reported to the relevant authorities due to the high status of those involved. According to this source, some senior officials within the ministry are allegedly attempting to cover up the incident.
When approached at her office at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Chinwe Achugbu declined to comment on the allegations, stating that she was not authorized to speak and directed the reporter to the Head of Service.
The Head of Service, Theodora Igwegbe, confirmed that she had heard about the altercation through social media but had not received an official report. She assured that appropriate actions would be taken following a thorough investigation into the matter.
“I saw the report on social media on Friday, August 23, 2024. I have not received a formal report against the Permanent Secretary in question as provided by Section 7, Chapter 10 of the Public Service Rules (2021).
(allnews.ng)
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