ASOPADEC Breaks Silence on Viral Sex Scandal, Distances Commission from Former Staff's Actions

Umuahia, Abia State - The Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) has issued a firm statement distancing itself from a viral social media scandal linking the institution to alleged immoral activities involving a former director and two of his former staff members.

In a press release signed by Iyke Onuegbu, mnipr, Head of Media/PRO for the Commission, management emphasized that the allegations, which have stirred public reactions across various platforms, concern private acts that occurred outside office hours and do not in any way represent the values or official conduct of ASOPADEC.

According to the statement, the alleged incidents happened years ago, and the director at the center of the scandal has long retired from service. The Commission stressed that it cannot be held accountable for the private actions of past employees, particularly those unrelated to official duties.

"The Commission, as an institution, does not condone immoral acts in any form," the statement read. "Staff are employed to serve the people and fulfill the Commission's mandate, not to engage in any behavior that tarnishes our image."

ASOPADEC confirmed that it has launched an internal review into the matter to determine whether any current staff were involved and pledged that appropriate sanctions will be applied in line with public service rules.

The statement further revealed that since the assumption of office by the current administration, frantic efforts have been made to clean up the 'mess of the past', enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct, corruption, or any act capable of undermining the Commission's credibility.

Management also appealed to media practitioners and online platforms to exercise professionalism and fairness by ensuring that ASOPADEC's name is not unfairly dragged into controversies linked to private lives of past officers.

"We urge the public to judge ASOPADEC by our ongoing reforms, transparency, and service delivery - not by incidents from a bygone era," the statement concluded.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, accountability, and the development of Abia's oil-producing communities, urging all stakeholders to focus on its present achievements rather than past controversies.