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 concerns raised by colleagues, organised labour and other sections of the state public service over the circumstances surrounding the incident at the deceased’s workplace.
In a government special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, on Friday, September 25, 2026, the government said the Police had already commenced investigation into the incident.
Dr. Emu stated that government, after consultations with organised labour, agreed to constitute the administrative panel “into the incident” to establish the facts surrounding the death.
The panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen, while the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Mamuzo Erebe, SAN, serves as a member.
Other members are the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service, Sir A.E. Oghoro; Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku; Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Chief Benson Efeotor; and Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Wilson Asekutu.
The Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Dennis Chuks Isichei, is to serve as Member/Secretary of the panel.
According to the government, the panel has two weeks to complete its assignment of “unearthing the circumstances surrounding the death” and make findings that will enable the state government to address all issues arising from the incident within the scope of the law.
The government said the inquiry was intended to ensure that the issues involved were dealt with “fair and square,” while allowing the ongoing Police investigation to continue.
The Delta State Government also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, assuring civil servants of the safety of their work environment and reaffirming its respect for “the dignity and sanctity of life.”
The government urged members of the public and civil servants to await the outcome of the investigations as the authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
