Delta Government Constitutes 8-Man Panel To Probe Deputy Director’s D£ath As NLC Declares Indefinite Strike
Delta Government Constitutes 8-Man Panel To Probe Deputy Director’s Death As NLC Declares Indefinite Strike
His death has since triggered the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to declared an indefinite strike, demanding a thorough investigation.
The Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, who died under unclear circumstances at his workplace.
His death has since triggered the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to declared an indefinite strike, demanding a thorough investigation.
In a government special announcement issued late Friday night, the Delta State Government confirmed the unfortunate incident.
It stated: “The Delta State Government wishes to formally notify the general public of the sad incident of the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, amidst unclear circumstances in his work place. The incident provoked very serious concerns from colleagues at work and vast sections of the Public Service including Organised Labour and Government.”
The government stated that while the Police had commenced investigation into the incident, it had consulted with Organised Labour and jointly agreed to constitute an Administrative Panel of Inquiry.
The panel, which has two weeks to submit its findings, is chaired by Mrs. Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service.
Other members of the panel include Mr. Mamuzo Erebe, SAN, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Lucky Nkemachor, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government; Sir A.E. Oghoro, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service; Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State; Comrade Chief Benson Efeotor, Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC); Comrade Wilson Asekutu, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC); and Comrade Dennis Chuks Isichei, Secretary, Joint Negotiating Council, who will serve as the panel’s secretary.
“The Panel has two weeks to complete its assignment of unearthing the circumstances surrounding the death and thereby enable government deal fair and square with all the issues involved and within the scope of the law,” the statement read.
The government also commiserated with the deceased’s family and assured Civil Servants of the safety of their work environment and its “abiding respect for the dignity and sanctity of life.”
The Delta State Police Command had earlier commenced a homicide investigation into the incident.
According to a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command arrested one suspect, Lucky Adoh, while a manhunt was launched for two fleeing suspects identified as Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine.
“The Command has also taken note of allegations suggesting that he was physically assaulted by aides to the Commissioner identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine, and Lucky Adoh,” the police statement said.
“The Command, upon receipt of the complaints, immediately swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Lucky Adoh, while serious manhunt for other fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Samuel Erale, subsequently ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and Adeda’s subsequent death.
“The investigation will examine all available evidence, including available video footages, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and the actions of all persons connected with the incident, to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The CP assured the deceased’s family and members of the public that the command “will neither shield nor spare anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or position.”
Following the incident, workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shut down the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba on Friday, locking the entrances and disrupting official activities. The NLC subsequently declared an indefinite strike over the death.
Speaking during the protest, the Delta State NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, said workers were unhappy with the incident and concerned about their safety at their places of work.
“We’re declaring dispute with the Delta State Government. For that reason, we’re withdrawing our services with immediate effect,” Ofobruku said. “Whoever is responsible for the beating of this worker that led to his untimely death must be brought to book before we can come back.”
The State Chairman of the Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor, said the council was working to establish what happened and appealed to workers to remain calm and avoid violence or destruction of property while the union continued discussions with the government.
The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, has denied allegations linking him to any physical attack on the deceased.
He said he never ordered anyone to beat Adeda, contrary to reports in some sections of the media.
