Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has expressed grief over the death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, calling for calm and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a statement on Saturday, Dafinone described the death of Ekwevugbe, an indigene of Ughelli Kingdom, as shocking and deeply troubling.
“I received with profound shock and sadness the news of the untimely death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, following an incident at his workplace,” Dafinone said.
The senator said the circumstances surrounding the incident demanded a “thorough, transparent and impartial investigation,” stressing that Ekwevugbe was a public servant who went to work in service to the state.
“A man who went to his place of work in service to our state should not lose his life under circumstances that leave his family, colleagues and the public demanding answers,” he said.
Dafinone commiserated with the Ekwevugbe family and the people of Ughelli Kingdom, describing the deceased as “an Urhobo son and dedicated public servant in the prime of his career.”
He also acknowledged the steps taken by the Delta State Government, under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to constitute an Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the incident.
The state government announced on September 25 that it had constituted an eight-member panel, in consultation with organised labour, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death.
The panel, chaired by Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen, was given two weeks to complete its assignment.
Dafinone therefore appealed to residents of Ughelli Kingdom, the Urhobo nation, civil servants and other concerned Deltans to remain calm and allow the investigations to proceed without interference.
“Our grief and legitimate demand for answers must not be allowed to undermine the very process required to establish the truth,” he said.
The senator, however, stressed that the investigation should be guided by evidence and due process.
“There must be no cover-up, no sacred cows and no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. The investigation must follow the evidence wherever it leads, and anyone found responsible must face the full weight of the law,” Dafinone said.
He added: “Justice for Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.”
Dafinone said he would continue to follow developments surrounding the case and work with relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances of the death are established.
