The government of Anambra State has acknowledged an incident involving a conflict between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinwe Achugbu, and another department head. The altercation reportedly resulted in one person being strangled to a state of unconsciousness. The cause of the dispute is yet to be fully determined, but it required intervention from others present to restore order.
Reports suggest that the Permanent Secretary caused significant harm to the department head, who had to be promptly taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. Sources within the ministry highlighted a pattern of physical altercations among senior staff, creating a culture of fear among subordinates who hesitate to report such incidents.
While the incident has not been officially reported due to the status of the individuals involved, there are indications that efforts are being made to downplay the situation. The Permanent Secretary declined to comment and deferred inquiries to the Head of Service. The Head of Service acknowledged awareness of the incident through social media and assured that a formal investigation would be conducted to address the matter.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare was unavailable for comment. The Public Service Rules outline disciplinary measures for misconduct to uphold standards of behavior and performance among public servants.