Adeda: Family rejects Delta probe panel, seeks justice

— NLC: We did not embark on strike

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA — The family of Mr Unity Ekwevugbe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, has rejected the administrative panel constituted by the state government to investigate circumstances surrounding his death.

The family said it had lost confidence in the composition of the panel and would pursue the matter through legal channels.

The development came as Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, also clarified that workers did not embark on a formal strike over the incident but temporarily withdrew their services while demanding an investigation and assurances about the safety of workers.

Family rejects panel

Speaking on the family’s position, one of Adeda’s brothers, Mr Oberhiri Adeda, said the family had formally opposed the composition of the government’s panel.

He said: “We have decided to follow a legal procedure. We have given opposition to the composition of the panel; we don’t have confidence in it.”

According to him, the family was concerned about what it described as civil servants investigating an incident involving another public servant.

“Civil servants investigating civil servants; Commissioner is still in office, no civil society representative, no family representative, we don’t have confidence in it,” he said.

Oberhiri also questioned whether people who were allegedly present during the incident had been invited to provide information to investigators.

“People were mentioned, civil servants were mentioned and no one has been invited for questioning. Video showed persons who were there and nobody has been questioned about it,” he said.

He maintained that the family would pursue the matter through lawful channels.

“We have no option than to follow the legal process,” he added.

Dafinone demands transparent probe

Dafinone, in a statement mourning Adeda, described the circumstances surrounding his death as troubling and called for an investigation capable of establishing the facts.

“The circumstances surrounding his death are deeply troubling and demand a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation,” he said.

The senator appealed for calm among the people of Ughelli Kingdom, the Urhobo nation, civil servants and other concerned residents while investigations continue.

He, however, stressed the need for accountability if the investigation establishes wrongdoing.

“There must be no cover-up, no sacred cows and no attempt to shield anyone found culpable,” Dafinone said.

“The investigation must follow the evidence wherever it leads, and anyone found responsible must face the full weight of the law.”

He added: “Justice for Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.”

NLC: We did not go on strike

The Delta State NLC chairman, Mr Goodluck Ofobruku, said organised labour did not embark on a formal strike over the incident.

“We didn’t go on strike. We only withdrew our services asking government to conduct a thorough investigation to unravel what actually happened that led to the beating to death of our member, a worker in the office,” he said.

Ofobruku said the state government subsequently constituted an administrative panel because the incident occurred within an office environment.

He said workers needed assurances that their workplaces were safe.

“The police, they are investigating the criminal aspect. So, because of that, we now decided to return to work,” he said.

Explaining the decision to resume work, Ofobruku said the labour action did not amount to a formal strike.

“We didn’t go on strike. If you want to go on strike, there are procedures set,” he said.

According to him, formal industrial action would require statutory notice.

“You must give 14 days’ notice first. We didn’t do that,” he added.

He said labour would await the outcome of the investigations before deciding its next course of action.

“We are waiting. We are giving government time to investigate and to unravel what actually happened,” he said.

“It is when we know what happened before we can now take a position.”

Analyst calls for accountability

A social commentator and public affairs analyst, Sammy Afamefune Anukwu, said the incident should be investigated from both administrative and criminal perspectives if evidence establishes that an unlawful assault contributed to Adeda’s death.

“This is a very grave allegation. If established, it is not a disciplinary issue alone, it is a criminal homicide arising from gross abuse of office,” he said.

Anukwu called for an independent investigation and urged authorities to question all persons who may have relevant information about the incident.

He said the deceased’s family deserved justice and that the investigation should be guided by evidence.

The family’s rejection of the administrative panel and the separate police investigation have heightened calls for the authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death and determine responsibility based on the evidence.

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