The Delta State Government has constituted an administrative panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Adeda Ekwevugbe.
The development followed concerns raised by his colleagues, organised labour and other sections of the state public service over allegations that Adeda was assaulted at the ministry before he was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Earlier, the Delta State Police Command disclosed that one of the aides to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, had been arrested over the director’s death, while a manhunt was launched for others allegedly linked to the incident.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, on Friday, the government said the death occurred at the deceased’s workplace under unclear circumstances.
The government said the police had commenced an investigation into the incident, while it had consulted with organised labour and jointly agreed to constitute an administrative panel of inquiry.
The panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Charity Ehimen, and comprises representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the governor’s office and organised labour.
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, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, Sir A.E. Oghoro.
Also on the panel are the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State, Goodluck Ofobruku; Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Wilson Asekutu; and Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, Dennis Isichei, who will serve as member and secretary.
The government gave the panel two weeks to complete its assignment and establish the circumstances surrounding the death to enable it to address the issues involved in accordance with the law.
It also commiserated with the family of the deceased and assured civil servants of the safety of their work environment and its commitment to protecting the dignity and sanctity of life.