The Delta State Government has expressed its condolences to the family of late Mr. Unity Adeda, a Level 16 civil servant with the Ministry of Secondary Education, who reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, led a delegation of senior government officials to the deceased’s family on Saturday to sympathise with them and reassure them that justice would be pursued.
The delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr. Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs. Kevwe Agas; Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau, Mr. Lawson Efenudu, among others.
Dr. Emu said the state government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that every life matters to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He explained that the government was still awaiting the outcome of the ongoing police investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death. According to him, preliminary information suggested that an internal workplace altercation had escalated into the tragic incident.
He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori had directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation, while some individuals connected to the incident had already made statements to the police.
The SSG also revealed that the state government had constituted an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.
He emphasised that the administrative panel would not interfere with the police or judicial processes, but would focus on improving workplace conflict management and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Dr. Emu further stated that the government had engaged labour leaders and assured them that the matter would be handled transparently. He appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue carrying out their duties, assuring them of the government’s commitment to their safety and a peaceful working environment.
“We are here to express the government’s concern, offer our sincere condolences and assure the family that there will be no perversion of justice,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr. Godwin Akamakusi, the deceased’s in-law, appreciated Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for the visit and concern. He, however, appealed for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Adeda’s death and for justice to be served.
