The Delta State Government has condoled with the family of late Mr Unity Adeda, a Level 16 civil servant in the Ministry of Secondary Education, who reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace.
The government also pledged to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding his death and ensure that justice is served.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a delegation of senior government officials to the deceased’s family to commiserate with them over the incident.
The delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs Kevwe Agas; and Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau, Mr Lawson Efenudu, among others.
Emu said the state government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that every life mattered to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He said the government was mourning with the family, the civil service and the entire state, describing the deceased as a senior public servant who had contributed to the state’s public service.
According to him, the government was yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death because police investigations were still ongoing.
He said preliminary accounts indicated that an internal altercation at the workplace had escalated, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Emu disclosed that Governor Oborevwori had directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated, adding that some persons connected with the incident had already made statements to the police.
He further disclosed that the state government had constituted an administrative panel comprising serving and retired civil servants to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.
The SSG explained that the administrative panel was not intended to interfere with the police investigation or judicial process, but to help the government improve its internal conflict-management mechanisms.
He stressed that workplace disagreements were inevitable but should be managed through appropriate institutional channels before they escalated.
Emu also disclosed that the government had met with labour leaders following the incident and assured them that the workplace remained safe for civil servants.
He appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue with their duties, assuring them of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring a peaceful working environment.
“We are here to establish government concern, register the government’s sincere condolences and tell you (family) that we are with you. There will be no perversion of justice as far as this case is concerned,” he said.
He urged the family to take solace in the life the deceased lived and the impact he made during his years of service, assuring them of the government’s continued support.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Godwin Akamakusi, the deceased’s in-law, thanked Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for the visit and concern.
He appealed to the government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were fully investigated and that justice is served.
