….Tells Educational Commissioner, Ashibogwu, to Step Aside
By Attah Ede
Ex-Deputy President of the Senate and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) Delta Central Senatorial candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on Saturday demanded justice over the death of Unity Adeda, a deputy director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education.
He further demanded that the Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, step aside pending investigation into the death of the deputy director.
Omo-Agege, in a statement personally signed on Saturday, September 26, also insisted on the arrest and prosecution of anyone found culpable in the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
He explained that Mr Adeda was allegedly assaulted at the ministry in Asaba on Thursday before his death on Friday, September 25, which he said “demands answers.”
“Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda went to his job at the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and never returned home,” he said.
Omo-Agege said the police had confirmed an incident at the ministry and launched a homicide investigation.
He said three people, Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine and Lucky Adoh, had been named in connection with allegations that Adeda was assaulted.
The Delta State Police Command later confirmed the arrest of Adoh and said it was searching for Attah and Okestine.
Police Commissioner Samuel Erale directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the incident.
The command said investigators would examine video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and the actions of those connected with the incident.
Omo-Agege urged the police to ensure that anyone found responsible was prosecuted.
“We urge the following actions: The police must find Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, and anyone responsible should face a full and transparent prosecution – not just a quiet resolution.
“Kingsley Ashibogwu, Commissioner for Secondary Education, should step aside while the investigation continues.
“The incident occurred in his office, and while he claims he did nothing wrong, stepping aside isn’t an admission of guilt – it’s essential for maintaining trust in the process,” Omo-Agege said.
Ashibogwu has denied ordering anyone to assault Adeda or taking part in any beating. He said he went to the ministry after receiving a distress call about an alleged confrontation involving Adeda.
Omo-Agege cautioned against reaching conclusions before the investigation is completed.
“We’re not going to jump ahead of the investigation. We still need to establish the exact cause of death, and we owe it to Adeda’s memory to ensure we get it right instead of just getting it done quickly,” he said.
He also demanded that the findings of the administrative panel set up over the incident and the police investigation be made public.
“The findings from the Administrative Panel need to be made public, along with the results of the police investigation. We can’t let this be swept under the rug once the media attention fades,” he said.
The police said it would not shield anyone found culpable, regardless of their position or status.
Adeda’s death has also led to protests by civil servants in Asaba, with workers demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
