Delta Deputy Director Allegedly Beaten to Death by Commissioner’s Aides as Govt Sets Up 8-Member Probe Panel
Delta Deputy Director Allegedly Beaten to Death by Commissioner’s Aides
The Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member administrative panel of inquiry into the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, following allegations that he was beaten by aides to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, and later died in hospital.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Kingsley Emu announced the panel’s constitution in a statement on Friday, saying it followed consultations with labour leaders. The panel is chaired by Mrs. Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service. Members include the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mamuzo Erebe (SAN); Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Lucky Nkemachor; and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, A.E. Oghoro. Labour representatives on the panel are NLC Delta State Chairman Goodluck Ofobruku, Joint Negotiating Council Chairman Benson Efeotor, Trade Union Congress Chairman Wilson Asekutu, and Dennis Chuks Isichei, Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, who will serve as member/secretary.
The panel has two weeks to submit its report. According to the statement, its terms of reference are to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and make recommendations that will enable the government to handle all issues fairly and within the ambit of the law.
Police Arrest One Suspect, Hunt Two Others
Delta State Police Command spokesman SP Bright Edafe said in a statement on Friday that one suspect, Lucky Adoh, had been arrested, while two others — Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine — were at large.
“The Command is aware of the allegation that the deceased, Adeda, was beaten to death by the Commissioner’s aides — Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine and Lucky Adoh,” the statement read. “On receipt of the complaint, the Command immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
Delta State Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation into the incident and Adeda’s death. The investigation will review all available evidence, including video footage, witness statements, medical records and the conduct of all persons involved.
Erale assured the family of the deceased and the public that the police would not shield anyone found culpable, regardless of status or position.
NLC Declares Indefinite Strike
The death has triggered a strong reaction from organised labour. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State declared an indefinite strike on Friday, shutting the Prof. Chike Odozien Secretariat and asking workers to leave the premises.
Addressing protesting civil servants, NLC Delta State Chairman Goodluck Ofobruku said: “We must assure workers that they are safe in their workplaces. Whoever is responsible for this beating to death must be brought to justice before we return.”
Ofobruku said workers could resume on Monday only if the government provided satisfactory assurances of their safety, failing which the strike could continue.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Accounts of what happened remain contradictory. The Guardian and Punch reported that sources alleged Adeda was beaten by Commissioner Ashibogwu on the day he was killed, with one account claiming the commissioner asked Adeda whether he knew him and Adeda replied that he did not.
But Independent, citing ministry staff and sources familiar with the matter, reported that video footage shows Adeda driving his car at colleagues and ramming vehicles and property at the Exams and Standards Department. They also pointed to signs of mental health challenges. The video is said to be in the possession of investigators. Those sources called for a fact-based investigation and warned against reaching conclusions prematurely.
Commissioner Ashibogwu has denied ordering anyone to beat Adeda. He said he responded to distress calls and that Adeda became violent and attacked him. He maintains he never ordered anyone to assault the deceased.
Government Vows No Cover-Up
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information Charles Aniagwu, addressing protesting workers, said the government would not sweep anything under the carpet.
“There are speculations about what caused our brother’s death in the hospital. Perhaps an autopsy and medical examination will determine the cause of death,” he said.
“I can assure you that nothing will be swept under the carpet. The truth will come out and necessary action will be taken.”
As of publication, no official finding has established that the alleged assault directly caused Adeda’s death. The cause of death remains pending autopsy results. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.