DELTA SETS UP PANEL TO INVESTIGATE DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S DEATH

The Delta State Government and organised labour have constituted an eight-member panel to investigate the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Adeda Ekwevugbe.

The panel was established following concerns raised by workers and labour unions over the circumstances surrounding the official’s death at his workplace. The state government said the police had also commenced a separate investigation into the incident.

The panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen. Other members include senior government officials and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council.

According to the state government, the committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Its findings are expected to help the government address concerns arising from the case.

The police investigation followed a complaint alleging that Adeda was assaulted during an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education in Asaba. Police said one person had been arrested while investigations continued into the roles of other persons named in the complaint.

The government said the administrative panel would work alongside the police investigation and promised that the matter would be addressed in accordance with the law.

The development followed a protest by organised labour, which shut the state secretariat in Asaba as workers demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.