Delta governorship candidate calls for independent probe into civil servant’s death
Chris Iyovwaye, the National Democratic Congress candidate for Delta State governor in 2027, has urged a full and impartial investigation into the death of deputy director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda. Police have opened an inquiry, arrested one suspect and are searching for two others reportedly linked to the incident.
Chris Iyovwaye, the National Democratic Congress candidate for governor of Delta State in 2027, has called for a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a deputy director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education. Iyovwaye made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday while extending condolences to Adeda’s family, colleagues and the wider civil service community. Adeda reportedly died after an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, at the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba.
The Delta State Police Command has begun investigating the circumstances of the death. According to Iyovwaye’s statement, police arrested Lucky Adoh and are searching for Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, who were named in connection with allegations surrounding the incident. The candidate said investigators were expected to examine available video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records.
He said the evidence should establish what happened before Adeda was taken to Asaba Specialist Hospital, where he later died. Iyovwaye said the Nigeria Labour Congress, through its Delta chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, had demanded that anyone responsible for the alleged assault be prosecuted. The demand, he said, preceded a union lockdown of the Prof.
Chike Edozien Secretariat complex in Asaba on Friday, disrupting civil service operations. He cautioned against reaching conclusions before the investigation was completed. Ashibogwu had denied ordering or participating in any assault, Iyovwaye said, adding that the commissioner’s account should be assessed alongside all available evidence.
Iyovwaye urged police to act without fear, favour or political interference and called on the state government to cooperate fully. He also asked authorities to protect witnesses from intimidation, while appealing for calm and saying accountability should follow if wrongdoing is established.
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