Staff:Reporter Odeh Rukevwe

The Delta State Government has assured the family of late Unity Adeda, a senior civil servant, that the circumstances surrounding his death will be thoroughly investigated and that justice will be pursued.

The assurance was given by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, during a condolence visit to the deceased’s family on Saturday.

Emu, who led a delegation of senior government officials, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was deeply concerned about the incident and had directed the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that the matter was properly investigated.

Adeda, a Level 16 officer in the Ministry of Secondary Education, reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace.

The SSG said the government was still awaiting the outcome of the ongoing police investigation, noting that the full circumstances surrounding the incident had yet to be established.

He disclosed that preliminary information indicated that a workplace disagreement had escalated before the incident occurred, while persons connected to the matter had reportedly made statements to the police.

Beyond the police investigation, the state government has also constituted an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants to examine the incident and make recommendations aimed at strengthening conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.

According to Emu, the administrative investigation is separate from the police probe and is intended to help the government identify ways of preventing similar situations in the future.

He stressed that disagreements could occur in workplaces but should be resolved through established institutional procedures rather than being allowed to escalate.

The SSG also disclosed that the government had engaged organised labour over the incident, with discussions focusing on workers’ safety and the need for justice.

He appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue performing their duties while the investigations are ongoing.

Emu said the government’s visit to the family was intended to convey its condolences and demonstrate its support for the bereaved family.

He assured them that the government would not allow the justice process to be compromised and urged the family to draw strength from the deceased’s years of service and contributions to the state.

Responding on behalf of the family, Godwin Akamakusi, an in-law of the deceased, appreciated Governor Oborevwori and the state government for the visit.

Akamakusi, however, called on the authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were fully established and that justice was ultimately served.

The SSG was accompanied by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary in the SSG’s Office, Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Kevwe Agas; Executive Secretary of the State Pensions Bureau, Lawson Efenudu, among other government officials.