The Delta State Government has assured the family of a senior civil servant, Unity Adeda, that justice will be pursued over his death following an 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 express the government’s condolences.
Adeda, a Level 16 officer with the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, reportedly died following an incident at his workplace.
The delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary in the SSG’s Office, Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Kevwe Agas; and Executive Secretary of the State Pensions Bureau, Lawson Efenudu.
Emu said the government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori attached importance to every life.
He said, “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.”
The SSG explained that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death had not been fully established, as the police investigation was still ongoing.
He, however, said preliminary information suggested that an altercation within the workplace had escalated and resulted in the incident.
According to him, Governor Oborevwori had directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation, while some individuals linked to the incident had already been invited to make statements.
Emu also disclosed that the state government had set up an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures for improving conflict management within the public service.
He clarified that the panel would not interfere with the police investigation or any subsequent judicial proceedings.
“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.
The SSG said the government had also met with organised labour following the incident and assured workers that their safety remained a priority.
According to him, labour leaders had demanded justice for the deceased and supported the establishment of the administrative panel alongside the police investigation.
He said, “We met with Labour yesterday and what Labour wanted was reassurance that there would be justice. Labour, as well as ourselves, agreed that the administrative panel must be set up and the police must do their job.”
Emu urged civil servants to remain calm and continue carrying out their duties, assuring them that the government was working to maintain a safe and peaceful working environment.
He also assured the deceased’s family that the government would not allow the matter to be compromised.
“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,” he said.
He urged the family to draw strength from the life and service of the deceased, adding that the government would continue to support them.
Responding on behalf of the family, Godwin Akamakusi, the deceased’s in-law, appreciated the governor and the state government for visiting the family.
Akamakusi, however, urged the government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were fully investigated.
He appealed to the authorities to “ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death were fully investigated and that justice was served.”
