The Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member administrative panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
The panel was constituted following consultations between the state government and organised labour over the incident, which has raised concerns among civil servants and labour unions in the state.
In a special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, the government said the administrative panel would work alongside the ongoing police investigation into the death.The panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Charity Ehimen.
Other members include the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mamuzo Erebe, SAN; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Lucky Nkemachor; and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, A.E. Oghoro.
Representatives of organised labour on the panel are the Delta State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Goodluck Ofobruku; Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor; Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Wilson Asekutu; and JNC Secretary, Dennis Chuks Isichei, who will serve as secretary.
The state government gave the panel two weeks to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death and submit its findings for appropriate action within the law.It also commiserated with the deceased’s family and assured civil servants of its commitment to workplace safety and the protection of human life.
CDHR Demands Commissioner’s SuspensionMeanwhile, the Delta State branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has called for the immediate suspension of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, pending an independent investigation.
The rights group made the demand following allegations that Adeda died after an altercation at the state secretariat in Asaba.
CDHR said the matter had gone beyond an internal administrative issue and had become one of public interest, particularly because of allegations that a public servant died following an incident within a government facility.
The organisation alleged that Ashibogwu and Adeda had an altercation and that individuals described by the group as personal enforcers tied up, assaulted and detained the deputy director before he was taken to hospital, where he later died.
However, CDHR acknowledged that the allegations must be established through investigation.It called on the state government to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted, irrespective of political position or official status.
The group also urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to suspend the commissioner while investigations continue, arguing that such a step would help protect the integrity of the process and prevent possible interference with witnesses or evidence.
Police Begin Criminal InvestigationThe Delta State Police Command has also commenced a criminal investigation into the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
One suspect, identified as Lucky Adoh, has reportedly been arrested, while two others, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, are being sought.
The police investigation is expected to determine what transpired before Adeda was taken to hospital and the circumstances surrounding his subsequent death.
Ashibogwu has reportedly denied ordering or participating in any assault on Adeda.According to the commissioner, he was called to the ministry following a distress call concerning the deputy director and did not order anyone to beat him.
The incident has also heightened industrial tension in Delta State, with workers under the NLC reportedly shutting the entrances to the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba while demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The administrative and police investigations are expected to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine whether any individual bears criminal or administrative responsibility.
