Organised labour in Delta State has directed workers to resume duties on Monday following the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the constitution of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. The directive followed a meeting between labour leaders and the governor.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had declared an indefinite strike over Adeda's death. NLC Chairman in Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Wilson Asekutu, directed workers to return to their offices by 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Ofobruku said the criminal aspect of the matter was already being investigated by the police, with arrests made and anyone found culpable to be prosecuted.
The state government had earlier announced the constitution of an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry following consultations with organised labour. The panel, chaired by Mrs. Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, has two weeks to establish the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death. Other members include Mr. Mamuzo Erebe, SAN, Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, and Mr. Lucky Nkemachor, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested one suspect, identified as Lucky Adoh, in connection with the incident, while two others, Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, are reportedly being sought. The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and Adeda's death. Investigators are reviewing video footage, speaking with eyewitnesses, and examining medical records.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for the immediate suspension of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, pending the outcome of an independent investigation. CDHR alleged that there was an altercation involving the commissioner and Adeda, and that persons allegedly attached to the commissioner assaulted and detained the deputy director. Ashibogwu has denied ordering or participating in any assault on Adeda.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) issued a clarification concerning the botched industrial action, stating that the strike declared by the Delta State NLC was specifically for the state civil service. NULGE advised its affiliates to report to work as usual. With the police investigation ongoing and the Administrative Panel given two weeks to complete its assignment, attention is now focused on the findings of both processes and the actions that will follow.
Ofobruku thanked workers across the state for their solidarity and assured the family of the deceased of the unions' support. He urged workers to remain diligent in the discharge of their duties, while commending Governor Oborevwori for his intervention. Organised labour would collaborate with the Administrative Panel of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death.
Key points
- The Delta State government has constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death.
- The police have arrested one suspect and are seeking two others in connection with Adeda's death.
- The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has called for the suspension of the Commissioner for Secondary Education pending an independent investigation.
