Delta panel and police probe death of senior civil servant after workplace altercation

The Delta State Government has promised the family of senior civil servant Unity Adeda that justice will not be compromised as police investigate his reported death following an altercation at his workplace. Secretary to the State Government Kingsley Emu gave the assurance on Saturday when he led senior officials to the deceased’s family. Adeda was a Level 16 officer in the Ministry of Secondary Education.

Emu said the government remained concerned about the incident and was mourning with the family, the civil service and the wider state. He said Adeda had made a contribution to the public service, but stressed that every life mattered regardless of a person’s rank. The SSG said the full circumstances of the death had not yet been established because the police investigation was continuing.

Preliminary accounts, he said, indicated that an internal workplace altercation had escalated into the incident. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation, Emu said. Some people connected with the incident had already given statements to police, according to the government.

The state has also created an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants. Emu said its purpose was to examine what happened and improve mechanisms for resolving workplace disputes, rather than to replace or interfere with the judicial and police processes. The government also met labour leaders and assured them that offices remained safe for civil servants.

Emu appealed for calm and urged workers to continue their duties while the investigations proceed. Godwin Akamakusi, speaking for the family, thanked the government for its visit and asked that the circumstances of Adeda’s death be fully investigated and that justice be served.