Delta Deputy Director’s Death Probe Deepens as Police Detain Commissioner, Four Others

• The Delta State Police Command has detained the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four other persons as part of its investigation into the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education.

• The command has intensified efforts to locate Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education.

• The latest development comes amid heightened public attention and demands by civil servants and organised labour for a transparent investigation into the events preceding Adeda’s death.

• Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, said the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, impartially and professionally.

September 29, () – The Delta State Police Command has detained the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and four other persons as investigations deepen into the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education.

The development brings to five the number of persons currently in police custody in connection with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The latest action comes amid heightened public attention over the case and growing calls for justice and a transparent investigation into the events that preceded the death of the senior civil servant.

In a statement issued on Monday night, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the command took Ashibogwu and three other suspects into custody as part of its ongoing investigation.

“The Delta State Police Command, in continuation of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, has taken into custody the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, alongside three other suspects in connection with the case.

“This brings the number of persons currently in Police custody in connection with the investigation to five,” Edafe said.

The command also announced a manhunt for two persons it described as key suspects in the case — Mrs Clementine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education.

According to the police, the presence of the two persons “is required in furtherance of the investigation”.

The command urged both suspects to make themselves available to investigators without further delay.

“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, urges the two suspects, wherever they may be, to make themselves available to the Police without further delay,” the statement said.

CP Erale reiterated that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, impartially and professionally.

He assured the deceased’s family and members of the public that due process would be followed and anyone found culpable would be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

“The command’s heartfelt condolences go to the deceased’s family,” the statement added.

Background

Adeda’s death has triggered concerns within Delta’s public service and among organised labour following an incident at the Ministry of Secondary Education in Asaba.

While allegations of assault have emerged, questions surrounding what occurred before his death prompted demands for an investigation, with civil servants and labour leaders seeking clarity on the circumstances and assurances over the safety of workers in government establishments.

The Delta State Government subsequently constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry, in consultation with organised labour, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

The panel, chaired by Mrs Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, was given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its findings to enable the government to take appropriate action within the law.

Its membership includes senior government officials and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council.

The development followed a protest by civil servants at the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba and a subsequent closed-door meeting between government officials and labour leaders over the death.

The police investigation is proceeding separately from the administrative inquiry.

With five persons now in police custody and two others being sought for questioning, investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events surrounding Adeda’s death and determine whether any individual bears criminal responsibility.

The police have maintained that the investigation will be conducted without favour or interference and that anyone found culpable will face the law.