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Controversy continues to mount at the Imo State Government Press following revelations that a retired official, Mr. Francis Igwe, has continued to oversee key operations and handle government contracts more than five years after leaving active service.
Igwe, who reportedly retired on full pension, was granted a six-month contract extension through an official letter dated May 15, 2025, from the Office of the Head of Service. A letter, said to have been approved by Governor Hope Uzodimma, authorized his return.
However, insiders argue the move represents a clear breach of civil service rules, which forbid pensioners from simultaneously working and drawing pension benefits.
While the extension was suspected to be all about the execution of the Junior WAEC printing project, investigations indicate that the contract was eventually not awarded to him.
Education ministry sources claim the Commissioner for Education refused to release the project to Igwe despite alleged lobbying from Igwe’s supervising Ministry.
This notwithstanding, Igwe is reportedly handling other sensitive government contracts – including a local government audit job – with the alleged backing of his supervising ministry.
Critics allege that his recall is part of a wider scheme by influential government interest groups seeking to corner lucrative printing deals, rather than a genuine necessity.
The development has seemingly sidelined the sitting Government Printer, Mr. Nwangwu Ikechukwu Gabriel, raising further suspicions of favoritism, misuse of office, and lack of transparency.
Staff of the Government Press, located within the IBC premises along Concord Road, have openly described the situation as a “shady deal” that undermines both fairness and morale.
Civil servants argue the arrangement violates long-standing regulations and sends a dangerous message to the workforce. One staff member captured the mood, saying:
> “This practice goes against Imo State’s civil service rules. It is demoralizing and sets a bad precedent for governance.”
For now, the state government has not provided any official explanation for the discrepancy between the stated reason for Igwe’s recall and his continued headship of the Press, and involvement government projects.
Controversy continues to mount at the Imo State Government Press following revelations that a retired official, Mr. Francis Igwe, has continued to oversee key operations and handle government contracts more than five years after leaving active service.
Igwe, who reportedly retired on full pension, was granted a six-month contract extension through an official letter dated May 15, 2025, from the Office of the Head of Service. A letter, said to have been approved by Governor Hope Uzodimma, authorized his return.
However, insiders argue the move represents a clear breach of civil service rules, which forbid pensioners from simultaneously working and drawing pension benefits.
While the extension was suspected to be all about the execution of the Junior WAEC printing project, investigations indicate that the contract was eventually not awarded to him.
Education ministry sources claim the Commissioner for Education refused to release the project to Igwe despite alleged lobbying from Igwe’s supervising Ministry.
This notwithstanding, Igwe is reportedly handling other sensitive government contracts – including a local government audit job – with the alleged backing of his supervising ministry.
Critics allege that his recall is part of a wider scheme by influential government interest groups seeking to corner lucrative printing deals, rather than a genuine necessity.
The development has seemingly sidelined the sitting Government Printer, Mr. Nwangwu Ikechukwu Gabriel, raising further suspicions of favoritism, misuse of office, and lack of transparency.
Staff of the Government Press, located within the IBC premises along Concord Road, have openly described the situation as a “shady deal” that undermines both fairness and morale.
Civil servants argue the arrangement violates long-standing regulations and sends a dangerous message to the workforce. One staff member captured the mood, saying:
> “This practice goes against Imo State’s civil service rules. It is demoralizing and sets a bad precedent for governance.”
For now, the state government has not provided any official explanation for the discrepancy between the stated reason for Igwe’s recall and his continued headship of the Press, and involvement government projects.
