A retired super permanent secretary in Abia State Civil Service, Chief Jonathan Agbia Kalu, has allegedly committed suicide which was indicated in a suicide note left in his country home, Elude in Ohafia Local Government Area.
The former civil servant, who started his career in the old Imo State, later climbed to positions of authority including Director of Protocol in the administration of Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and Local Government Area Administrator.
He was a Knight of the Catholic Church and the national president, Ohafia Development Union.
Shortly after his retirement, he was appointed board chairman, Abia State Infrastructural Development Fund.
Agbia was reported to have travelled to his country home in Ohafia on Saturday, 21st May and on reaching home, he was said to have told his security guard that he did not want to be disturbed by friends and family members, after which he went inside and locked all the doors.
He allegedly drank poison and died.
A source close to the family revealed that she believed the ex-permanent secretary killed himself out of frustration because of series of debt he was said to have owed friends as a result of failed business ventures.
Another person who spoke and pleaded anonymity said he believed the permanent secretary was duped of millions of naira.
Reacting to the death of the Knight, a member of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) who worships at the same parish with the deceased, Mater Dei Catholic Church said the church was shocked when the news filtered in.
A Knight of the Catholic Church in Umuahia, who does not want his name in print confirmed the incident, adding that the knights were sad and angry over the development wondering why a Knight of the Catholic Church who had been heading various committees in the church would decide to take his own life in the circumstances he did.
