The Delta State Government has assured the family of a senior civil servant, Mr Unity Adeda, that justice will be served over his death following an alleged altercation at his workplace.
The assurance was given on Saturday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, when he led a delegation of senior government officials to the deceased’s family to commiserate with them.
Adeda, a Level 16 officer with the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace.The government delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Kevwe Agas; and Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau, Lawson Efenudu, among others.
Emu said the state government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that every life was important to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He said the government was mourning with the deceased’s family, the civil service and the entire state.“The entire state is in a mourning mood, not just the family.
He was a very senior officer, but whether he was a senior or junior officer, every life means a lot to the state and the government,” Emu said.
Police investigation ongoingThe SSG explained that the government had yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death, as police investigations were still ongoing.
He, however, said preliminary information indicated that an internal disagreement at the workplace had escalated before the incident.
According to Emu, Governor Oborevwori had directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the matter.
He added that some individuals connected with the incident had already made statements to the police.
The state government has also constituted an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.
Emu stressed that the administrative investigation would not interfere with the police or judicial processes.“The essence of the administrative panel is not to conflict with the judicial process or the police investigation. It is to help us rebuild our system and enrich our conflict-management process,” he said.
Delta govt assures labour of justice
The SSG disclosed that the state government had met with labour leaders following the incident and assured them that appropriate steps were being taken.
He said labour leaders had sought assurances that justice would be served and that the government had responded by allowing both the police investigation and administrative inquiry to proceed.
“The entire justice process has started, and we are convinced that having seen the sincerity and transparency of government, labour will do the needful,” Emu said.
He appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue performing their duties, assuring them that the government remained committed to protecting workers and maintaining a peaceful environment across the state’s public service.
Addressing the deceased’s family, Emu said the government would continue to support them.“We are here to establish government concern, register the government’s sincere condolences and tell you (family) that we are with you.
There will be no perversion of justice as far as this case is concerned.”The SSG also urged the family to take solace in the life Adeda lived and his contributions to the state during his years of public service.
Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s in-law, Mr Godwin Akamakusi, thanked Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for the visit.Akamakusi, however, appealed to the government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were thoroughly investigated and that justice was served.
