By Oghenefejiro Emado
26, September 2026
The Delta State Government has announced the sudden and painful death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, under unclear circumstances within his workplace.
In a Government Special Announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, on September 25, 2025, the state government said the tragic incident has generated serious concerns among colleagues in the Ministry, the wider public service, Organized Labour and the government itself.
According to the statement, while the Nigeria Police has commenced full investigation into the incident, the State Government after consultations with Organized Labour has jointly resolved to constitute an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death.
The 8-man panel is constituted as follows:
I. Mrs. Charity Ehimen – Chairman
Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service
II. Mr. Mamuzo Erebe, SAN – Member
Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
III. Mr. Lucky Nkemachor – Member
Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government
IV. Sir A.E. Oghoro – Member
Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Service
V. Comr. Goodluck Ofobruku – Member
Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State
VI. Comr. Chief Benson Efeotor – Member
Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC)
VII. Comr. Wilson Asekutu – Member
Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC)
VIII. Comr. Dennis Chuks Isichei – Member/Secretary
Secretary, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC)
The government disclosed that the Panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and unearth the circumstances surrounding the death, to enable government address all issues involved fairly and squarely within the ambit of the law.
Meanwhile, the State Government has commiserated with the family of the deceased civil servant, while assuring all civil servants of the safety of the work environment and its abiding respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life.
