The family of the late Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Mr. Unity Adeda, has demanded the arrest of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, and other persons allegedly implicated in the circumstances surrounding his death.
The family also rejected the eight-member administrative panel of inquiry set up by the state government, insisting that the committee must include representatives of the deceased’s family, civil society organisations and human rights groups to guarantee an independent and credible investigation.
The family’s position was made public on Saturday evening by the deceased’s brother, Lloyd Sodje Adeda, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.
Adeda reportedly died following an alleged assault during a confrontation at the office of the commissioner in Asaba.
Lloyd, who expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of the incident, said the family has rejected a proposed condolence visit by government officials pending concrete steps to address its concerns.
“The chief prime suspect, Kingsley Ashibogwu (an agent of the government) and other suspects have not been brought to book,” he stated.
He alleged that the commissioner, whom the family accused of involvement in the incident leading to Adeda’s death, continues to enjoy government protection despite the gravity of the allegations against him.
The family consequently demanded a public statement from the state government explaining its position on the allegations and the steps being taken to ensure accountability.
Questioning the composition of the administrative panel, the family expressed concern that the committee is made up entirely of civil servants, without representation from the deceased’s relatives or independent organisations.
It maintained that the inclusion of family representatives, civil society organisations and human rights groups would strengthen public confidence in the investigation and help ensure that those responsible, if any, were brought to justice.
The family insisted that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death requires a transparent investigation rather than an inquiry whose independence it had questioned.
Read also:
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Meanwhile, despite the family’s earlier rejection of the proposed condolence visit, a high-profile delegation from the state government reportedly visited the bereaved family on Saturday.
The delegation was said to have conveyed the government’s condolences and assured the family of its commitment to ensuring justice for the deceased.
The latest development comes amid mounting public concern over Adeda’s death, which has triggered protests and demands for a thorough investigation into the alleged assault that preceded it.
The allegations against Ashibogwu and the other persons named by the family remain unproven, while the family’s rejection of the panel has raised further questions about the credibility and independence of the government’s investigative process.
