Director’s death: Delta union demands transparent probe

The Urhobo Progress Union Worldwide has demanded a transparent investigation into the death of a deputy director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Mr Unity Adeda, as the police widen their probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The UPU also called for the preservation of evidence, protection of witnesses and prosecution of anyone found culpable after the investigation.

The union made the demands in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Kehinde Taiga, following the decision by the Delta State police command to take the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four others into custody.

The police also declared the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, and the commissioner’s driver, Clement Apia, wanted for questioning.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, assured the deceased’s family that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, impartially and professionally.

The latest development followed an earlier police investigation into an incident at the Ministry of Secondary Education in Asaba, after which allegations emerged that Adeda was physically assaulted.

The police had earlier arrested one of the persons named in the complaint, Lucky Adoh, while Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine were declared wanted.

The command said investigators would examine video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and other available evidence to establish what happened.

Reacting to the development, the UPU said the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death required an investigation “without fear or favour.”

The union said, “We demand an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.”

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It added that “All relevant evidence must be preserved, witnesses protected and anyone found culpable prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The UPU also urged the state government and security agencies to ensure that the investigation was not compromised.

It said, “No public office or individual should be allowed to shield anyone from accountability if the investigation establishes that an offence was committed.”

The union, however, cautioned against prejudging anyone connected with the case.

It stressed that “every person accused must be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.”

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has constituted an administrative panel to examine the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The government has said the administrative inquiry would work alongside the police investigation and would not interfere with the criminal probe.

In a separate legal and public-service analysis, a public analyst, Sammy Afamefune Anukwu, said workplace disputes involving public servants should be handled through established disciplinary procedures.

“Physical assault is never an option,” Anukwu said, arguing that where a civil servant is accused of misconduct, the appropriate response should be a formal query, an opportunity to respond and, where necessary, investigation and disciplinary action.

He also called for the investigation of everyone whose actions may have contributed to the incident.