The Delta State Police Command has transferred the investigation into the death of a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
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One suspect has been arrested, while police operatives have launched a manhunt for two others allegedly connected with the incident that preceded Adeda’s death.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, directed homicide investigators to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry, including an examination of available video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the conduct of everyone linked to the incident.
The investigation followed complaints that Adeda was allegedly assaulted by three persons at the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, in Asaba.
The police said Lucky Adoh had been arrested, while efforts were underway to apprehend two other persons identified as Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine.
The circumstances surrounding the incident and the cause of Adeda’s death have, however, not been conclusively established. The allegations against the suspects and other persons mentioned in connection with the case remain subject to investigation.
Reports indicated that Adeda was taken to a medical facility following an altercation at the Prof. Chike Edosien State Secretariat in Asaba but later died.
His death triggered protests by civil servants, who shut down activities at the state secretariat and demanded an independent investigation and prosecution of everyone found responsible.
The Nigeria Labour Congress in Delta State also demanded guarantees concerning the safety of workers at their duty posts and called for transparency in the investigation.
Some workers alleged that Adeda was beaten following a disagreement at the ministry. They claimed that video footage of the incident existed and could help investigators establish what transpired.
Ashibogwu, however, denied ordering anyone to attack Adeda or personally participating in an assault.
The commissioner said he went to the scene after receiving information that a man was behaving violently and threatening ministry workers.
According to Ashibogwu, Adeda allegedly became violent and attacked him, leaving him with injuries. He maintained that he did not authorise anyone to beat the deceased.
The conflicting accounts are expected to form part of the homicide investigation, alongside the medical evidence and any available recordings from the scene.
Commissioner of Police Erale assured Adeda’s family and members of the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without interference.
He said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, irrespective of status or position.
Erale also appealed for calm, stressing that investigators must be allowed to examine the evidence and establish the facts before conclusions are reached.
The Delta State Government has similarly promised a transparent investigation, with officials indicating that an autopsy would be important in establishing the medical cause of Adeda’s death.
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