The Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The government said Ekwevugbe died at his workplace under unclear circumstances, adding that the incident had generated serious concerns among his colleagues, organised labour and sections of the state public service.
In a Government Special Announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, on September 25, the government said the Police had begun investigating the incident.
It added that, following consultations with organised labour, both parties agreed to constitute an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death.
The panel is chaired by Mrs. Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, while Mr. Mamuzo Erebe, SAN, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Lucky Nkemachor, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government; and Sir A.E. Oghoro, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, are members.
Also on the panel are Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State; Comrade Chief Benson Efeotor, Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC); and Comrade Wilson Asekutu, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Comrade Dennis Chuks Isichei, Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, serves as the panel’s Member/Secretary.
According to the government, the panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and establish the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death.
“The Panel has two weeks to complete its assignment of unearthing the circumstances surrounding the death and thereby enable the government to deal fair and square with all the issues involved and within the scope of the law,” the statement said.
The government noted that the administrative inquiry would run alongside the ongoing Police investigation, stressing that the process was intended to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident and guide appropriate action within the law.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, the state government assured civil servants of the safety of their work environment and reaffirmed its respect for “the dignity and sanctity of life.”
The government said it remained committed to addressing the issues arising from the incident fairly and in accordance with the law.
