Eyewitness Alleges Delta Commissioner Ordered Assault of Deputy Director Before Death
Reloaded News Desk
An eyewitness has alleged that Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, punched a Deputy Director in the ministry before ordering his aides and driver to beat and tie him during an incident that preceded the official’s death.
The allegation forms part of the investigation into the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, who died after an incident at the ministry in Asaba.
According to accounts cited in reports on the incident, the confrontation followed a disagreement involving Adeda and senior officials at the ministry. An eyewitness alleged that Ashibogwu confronted Adeda and subsequently ordered aides to assault him.
Other accounts have alleged that Adeda was beaten, restrained and later taken to hospital, where he died.
The allegations are now being examined as part of a police homicide investigation.
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed that Ashibogwu is among those taken into custody in connection with the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death. The command said the number of people in custody had risen to five and declared two others; Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Clemetine Ufuoma, and Clement Apia, the commissioner’s driver wanted for questioning.
The police said investigators would examine available evidence, including video recordings, eyewitness accounts and medical records, before determining whether anyone was culpable.
Ashibogwu has denied ordering or participating in any assault on Adeda. He said he went to the scene after receiving distress calls that the deputy director had allegedly become violent and was threatening people. The commissioner also alleged that Adeda attacked him during the encounter.
The conflicting accounts have heightened calls for a thorough investigation into what happened inside the ministry, the nature of the injuries sustained by Adeda and the circumstances surrounding his subsequent death.
The police have said the investigation will be conducted impartially and that anyone found culpable will face the law.
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