Tension In Delta Education Ministry As Deputy Director Dies After Alleged Assault Involving Commissioner

Apprehension has gripped the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education at the Prof. Chike Edozie Secretariat, Asaba, following the death of a Deputy Director, Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, after an alleged altercation within the ministry premises on Thursday.

Adeda, who was recently redeployed from the ministry’s field office in Isoko South Local Government Area, was said to have died after he was allegedly beaten.

Family and ministry sources alleged that the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, his police orderly and driver were involved in the incident.

A sister of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed his death to SaharaReporters but said the family had not been fully briefed on what transpired. She added that a video of the incident is reportedly in the possession of the Director of Examinations.

A staff member of the ministry, also speaking anonymously, claimed the incident started when the Commissioner asked Adeda if he knew him and Adeda reportedly said he did not. The staff alleged that the Commissioner then ordered his orderly and driver to beat him, after which he fell into coma and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where he later died. His remains were said to have been deposited at Asaba Specialist Hospital.

The source further alleged that the altercation stemmed from a disagreement between the deceased and the Director of Examinations, who reportedly invited the Commissioner, and that Adeda was detained after the beating before being taken to hospital.

However, the Commissioner has denied the allegations.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, Ashibogwu said he received a distress call from the Director of Examinations that a man was attacking staff and threatening to kill anyone who came his way.

“I rushed down to the scene and saw the man. I asked if he knows me but he said he does not need to know me, saying he will kill anyone that comes his way,” Ashibogwu said.

He denied ordering any assault, stating: “I never ordered anybody to attack or beat him. I am not a violent person. I can’t lie against a dead body, God bears me witness.”

He said Adeda became violent and attacked him, leaving him with wounds, and recalled that he had once cautioned the deceased over an alleged extortion case.

SaharaReporters reports that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been briefed on the incident. Efforts to get the reaction of the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, were unsuccessful as of press time.

The circumstances surrounding the death remain conflicting as of the time of filing this report.