The Delta State government’s condolence visits have been rebuffed by the family of the late Mr. Unity Adeda, a Level 16 public worker in the Ministry of Secondary Education who purportedly passed away after an incident at work.
However, when the state government visited the family on Saturday to offer condolences, it insisted that justice would not be distorted.
Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, accompanied a group of high-ranking government officials to the deceased’s family on Saturday to offer their condolences.
Among those in the delegation were Hon. Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Mr. Lucky Nkemachor, Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office; Mrs. Kevwe Agas, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development; and Mr. Lawson Efenudu, Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau.
Emu emphasised that every life mattered to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration and stated that the state government was extremely worried about the event.
Noting that the deceased was a senior public worker who had contributed to the state’s public service, he said the government was in grief with the family, the civil service, and the entire state.
Not just the family, but the entire state is grieving. He was a very high commander, but the state and the government value every life, regardless of rank, he said.
He claimed that as the police inquiry was still in progress, the government had not yet determined the complete circumstances surrounding the death.
However, he stated that initial reports suggested that an internal conflict at work had intensified, resulting in the regrettable event.
Emu stated that some individuals involved in the incident had already given testimonies to the police and that Governor Oborevwori had promptly instructed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the situation was adequately probed.
In order to investigate the facts behind the incident and improve internal conflict-resolution procedures within the public sector, he said, the government has also established an administrative panel composed solely of active and retired civil officials.
The administrative panel’s primary goal is to avoid interfering with the legal system or the police inquiry. It will assist us in rebuilding our system and improving the way we handle conflicts,” he stated.
The SSG clarified that while disagreements at work are unavoidable, they must be handled through the proper institutional channels before they become more serious.
Following the event, Emu revealed that the administration met with union groups on Thursday and reassured them that civil servants’ workplaces remained safe.
“We met with Labour yesterday, and what Labour wanted was reassurance that there would be justice,” he stated. Both labour and we agreed that the police must carry out their duties and the administrative panel must be established.
“These have all been completed. The full legal procedure has begun, and we are confident that labour will take the necessary action after witnessing the government’s sincerity and openness,” he stated.
Additionally, Emu urged civil staff to maintain composure and carry out their responsibilities, reassuring them that the government was dedicated to safeguarding lives and maintaining a tranquil workplace.
“We are here to express government concern, register the government’s heartfelt condolences, and reassure you (family) of our support.” In this situation, there won’t be any perversion of justice,” he declared.
He assured the family that the government would continue to support them and encouraged them to find comfort in the life the deceased led and the effect he made throughout his years of service.
The deceased’s in-law, Mr. Godwin Akamakusi, responded on behalf of the family by pleading with the government to make sure that justice was done and that the facts surrounding the death were thoroughly examined.
Once more, the family bemoaned the lack of prosecution of the chief prime suspect, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, a government agent, as well as other suspects.
“The Commissioner, who killed our son as a government agent, is still protected by Delta State, which prevents him from being held accountable for the crime. Before speaking with the family, the State Government ought to make a public statement about this.