By our reporter
Delta State Police Command said it presently has in its custody the State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, following investigations into the killing of a Deputy Director in his Ministry, Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
Adeda, a Level 16 officer and approaching the top of his career, had his life unceremoniously cut down recently following an altercation in the office with some persons, a couple of them suspected to be staff members of the Ministry.
The arrest does not, for now, mean liability of the Commissioner in Adeda’s murder, which rocked the state and sparked outrage nationwide amid calls for swift justice for the shell-shocked family.
Ashibogwu was nabbed alongside three others.
Similarly outraged earlier by news of the top civil servant’s death, and its nature, State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori promptly despatched the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, who, on Saturday, 26 September this year, on his (governor’s) behalf, visited and consoled the widow and family of the deceased – spurring a stream of visitors to the bereaved family by other prominent personalities as well as outpouring of condolence messages to the mourning Adedas.
Leading a strong delegation of government officials, the SSG had assured the bereaved family that Gov. Oborevwori places high premium on every life. He promised a transparent investigation.
With investigation underway, a statement by the Delta Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent (SP) Bright Edafe, a copy of which was made available to People&Politics today, added that the latest arrests bring “the number of persons currently in Police custody in connection with the investigation to five (5).”
The Command, Edafe added, has consequently launched a manhunt for two persons described as key suspects, identified as Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, and Clement Apia, driver to the Commissioner for Secondary Education, whose presence is required in furtherance of the investigation.
Edafe quoted the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Samuel Erale, as urging the duo to show up “without further delay.”
Condoling with the family of the deceased, the CP assured of thorough and professional investigation into the death, insisting that due process will be followed in the matter and anyone found culpable, made to face the wrath of justice.
Recall that Adeda’s death had sent rippling shockwaves through the oil-rich South-South state and triggered industrial action by workers as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) temporarily sealed the state secretariat and sought accountability and the arrest of anyone allegedly involved in the death.
Rising to the occasion, the state government raised an eight-member administrative panel of inquiry, with labour leaders among, to probe the matter within two weeks and make recommendations to government for necessary action.
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R: Commissioner Ashibogwu; and Adeda.
