The family of Delta Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda has demanded an independent investigation into his death following an alleged assault at the Ministry in Asaba.
The family of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a 54-year-old Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, has demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death following an alleged assault at the ministry’s headquarters in Asaba.
The demand was made by the deceased’s elder brother, Oghenevwogaga Adede, who said the family remained concerned about the circumstances surrounding the incident and wanted all those found responsible to be held accountable.
Oghenevwogaga alleged that Adeda was assaulted, restrained and injured during an incident at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu.
He said the deceased was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but died after his condition deteriorated.
The family’s account has not been independently established, while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under police investigation.
Oghenevwogaga said Adeda was on annual leave when he was invited to the ministry and that the family was still trying to establish exactly what happened.
He alleged that Adeda narrated details of the incident to some family members before his condition worsened. He also said the family received photographs showing the deceased with a swollen face, which he said reinforced their concerns about the alleged assault.
“We want justice to be done. Justice has really to be done and all the culprits brought to book,” Oghenevwogaga said.
The deceased’s brother also expressed reservations about the administrative panel constituted by the Delta State Government to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the family was concerned that the panel comprised civil servants without representation from the deceased’s family or an independent figure such as a human rights advocate.
He further expressed concern that some potential witnesses might be reluctant to provide information because of possible victimisation, particularly while some officials connected to the incident remained in positions of authority.
Oghenevwogaga said the family had petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, and urged the police to conduct their investigation independently and without political interference.
He said nothing could bring his brother back but that a credible investigation and appropriate outcome could help address the concerns surrounding the death.
Adeda, a father of four, reportedly served as Chief Inspector of Education for Isoko South for about four years before being recalled to Asaba. He was residing in Ozoro while working in Isoko South.
The police investigation has since widened.
The Delta State Police Command initially arrested Lucky Adoh, one of three aides named in complaints alleging that Adeda was physically assaulted during the incident. The other two initially identified in the complaint were Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine.
The command later announced that Commissioner Kingsley Ashibogwu and three other suspects had also been taken into custody, bringing the number of people held in connection with the investigation to five. Police also launched a manhunt for two other persons identified as key suspects.
The police said the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department would examine available evidence, including video footage, eyewitness accounts and medical records, to establish what happened and determine whether anyone was culpable.
The command has assured the family and members of the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally, impartially and without interference.
Meanwhile, Ashibogwu has denied allegations that he ordered anyone to assault Adeda. He said his involvement followed reports that Adeda had become violent and that he went to the scene to address the situation.
The competing accounts have yet to be resolved, and the police investigation is expected to establish the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The family has meanwhile continued to call for an independent and transparent process that will establish the facts and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.
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