Delta forms labour-backed panel to investigate deputy director’s death

The Delta State Government has established an eight-member panel to investigate the death of Adeda Ekwevugbe, a deputy director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, after concerns from workers and organised labour over the circumstances of his death at his workplace. The Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, announced the panel’s formation in a statement on Friday. He said it followed consultations between the government and organised labour and that the police had already begun a separate investigation.

The administrative panel is chaired by Charity Ehimen, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service. Its members include the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mamuzo Erebe; the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Lucky Nkemachor; and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, A.E. Oghoro.

Representatives of organised labour on the panel are the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Goodluck Ofobruku; the chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor; and the chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Wilson Asekutu. The Joint Negotiating Council’s secretary, Dennis Chuks Isichei, will serve as secretary to the panel. According to the government, the panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It said the findings would help it deal with issues arising from the death fairly and in accordance with the law. The development followed protests and concerns by workers, including action by the Delta NLC over the death. The police had earlier arrested one person in connection with the matter and were tracking two aides, according to the supplied report, although the circumstances and any allegations against them were not detailed.

The state government expressed condolences to Ekwevugbe’s family and said it remained committed to providing a safe working environment for civil servants. It also reaffirmed its respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life.