The Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) has reacted to a viral social media report alleging a sex scandal involving its former director and two female staff, with claims that their trysts were recorded on video.

 

In a statement issued on Friday by the Commission’s Head of Media/PRO, Iyke Onuegbu, ASOPADEC said it does not condone immoral acts “in all ramifications” but stressed that it cannot be held responsible for the private affairs of employees outside office hours.

 

“The public is hereby informed that the incidents as alleged happened in the past and the former director in question has long retired from service,” the statement read.

 

Onuegbu said the Commission has commenced an internal investigation into the matter, promising that appropriate sanctions would be applied to any staff found culpable, in line with service rules.

 

He noted that at the inception of the current administration, efforts were made to “clean the mess of the past,” and the agency now operates under a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of misconduct.

 

ASOPADEC also cautioned its present staff to uphold the agency’s mandate and avoid any actions that could tarnish its image. It further appealed to social media handlers and the public to avoid linking the present administration to incidents from the past.