Delta Govt Sets Up Panel To Probe Deputy Director’s Death
THE Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Adeda Ekwevugbe.
The development followed serious concerns among civil servants, organised labour and the state government over the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death at his workplace.
The state government, in a special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, on Friday, said the Police had already commenced investigation into the incident.
Government said it subsequently consulted with organised labour and jointly agreed to constitute an administrative panel to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
The panel is chaired by Mrs Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service.
Other members are Mr Mamuzo Erebe, SAN, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Mr Lucky Nkemachor, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government; and Sir A.E. Oghoro, Executive Assistant to the Governor, Public Service.
Also on the panel are the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku; Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Chief Benson Efeotor; and Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Wilson Asekutu.
The Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Dennis Chuks Isichei, will serve as Secretary to the panel.
The government has given the panel two weeks to complete its assignment and establish the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death.
According to the government, the findings are expected to enable it to address all issues arising from the incident fairly and in accordance with the law.
The development comes after civil servants and organised labour expressed concerns over the incident and demanded that the circumstances surrounding the death be properly investigated.
The government said the police investigation would proceed alongside the administrative inquiry.
The state government expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and described the incident as a matter of serious concern to the Public Service.
It also assured civil servants of the safety of their work environment and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity and sanctity of human life.
The government said the panel’s findings would help establish the facts and guide appropriate action within the scope of the law.
