The Anambra State Government has vowed to take appropriate action following an alleged physical altercation between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinwe Achugbu, and an unnamed female Head of Department in the ministry.
According to the PUNCH, the incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, August 15, during an argument in the ministry’s office.
Mrs. Achugbu, who was recently appointed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, allegedly engaged in a fight with the HOD, resulting in the latter being strangled to the point of losing consciousness.
The altercation was reportedly stopped by colleagues who intervened before the situation escalated further.
According to sources within the ministry, the HOD sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka, where she was resuscitated. The cause of the argument that led to the physical confrontation remains unclear.
An anonymous source in the ministry confirming the incident said, “Yes, the incident happened. I was there that day, and everything unfolded right before my eyes. The Permanent Secretary tried to strangle the HOD, holding her neck for several minutes. It was only through the intervention of others that normalcy was restored, and the HOD was rushed to the hospital because she fell into a coma.”
Another ministry employee, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns that the matter might be swept under the rug due to the high status of the individuals involved.
When approached for her response, Mrs. Achugbu declined to comment, citing her position as a person “under authority.” She directed inquiries to the Head of Service, Theodora Igwegbe.
Ms. Igwegbe, when contacted, acknowledged awareness of the incident through social media but noted that she had not yet received an official report.
“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). That notwithstanding, I have started asking questions to ascertain what happened while I await a formal report, which should be the beginning of a process,” she stated.
It was reported that efforts to reach the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, for comment were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.
