PRESS RELEASE
ALLEGED FATAL ASSAULT ON DEPUTY DIRECTOR: CIVIL RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMANDS THOROUGH, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
For Immediate Release
26 September 2026
The Civil Rights Council (CRC), Asaba, Delta State, expresses deep concern and sadness over the reported death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, following an alleged physical assault at the Ministry’s premises in Asaba.
The Civil Rights Council is a human-rights and citizens’ advocacy organisation committed to upholding citizens’ rights, promoting justice, defending human dignity, opposing oppression and intimidation, and demanding accountability from institutions and persons exercising public authority.
With units and structures operating across Delta State and other parts of Nigeria, the Council remains committed to standing with citizens whenever their fundamental rights, dignity, safety or lives are threatened.
WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED
Reports indicate that an altercation occurred at the Ministry’s Examination and Standards office involving Mr. Adeda and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu.
According to accounts reported by the media, the disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, after which Mr. Adeda was allegedly assaulted by aides connected with the Commissioner.
The police have confirmed that complaints were received alleging that Mr. Adeda was physically assaulted by three aides identified as Enos Attah, Oputa Okestine and Lucky Adoh. The Police Command has stated that Lucky Adoh was arrested, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other two persons named in the complaint. The Commissioner of Police has directed the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Adeda’s death.
Mr. Adeda subsequently died after being taken to hospital.
The Commissioner, however, has reportedly denied ordering anyone to assault Mr. Adeda and has given a different account of the incident. The conflicting accounts make a thorough, impartial and evidence-based investigation essential.
Reports have also indicated that organised labour shut down the State Secretariat in protest over the circumstances surrounding Mr. Adeda’s death and demanded investigation.
CRC DEMANDS JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The Civil Rights Council considers the reported circumstances extremely disturbing.
Holding public office does not place anyone above the law.
A government position is a position of public trust and service, not a licence to intimidate, assault, oppress, humiliate or unlawfully deprive another person of life.
No public officer, regardless of rank or political appointment, should use public power or influence to violate the dignity and rights of another citizen.
If the allegations that Mr. Adeda was assaulted by persons acting under the authority, direction or influence of a public official are established by evidence, all persons found culpable must face the full consequences of the law.
A PANEL OF INQUIRY ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
While the reported establishment of a panel of inquiry by the Delta State Government is noted, the Civil Rights Council maintains that an administrative panel cannot substitute for a criminal investigation where a person’s death is alleged to have resulted from a physical assault.
We therefore call on the appropriate law-enforcement authorities to:
1. Conduct a thorough, independent and transparent criminal investigation into the death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda.
2. Ensure that every person alleged to have participated in the assault is identified, located, arrested where the evidence and law warrant it, and investigated.
3. Investigate the role of the Commissioner and every other person who may have been present or involved, without regard to status or office.
4. Where sufficient evidence establishes probable criminal involvement, ensure that the Commissioner and any other person implicated are subjected to the appropriate lawful arrest, questioning and prosecution.
5. Secure and examine CCTV footage, photographs, videos, medical records, hospital records, eyewitness accounts, official communications and other relevant evidence before such evidence is lost or compromised.
6. Ensure that the investigation is conducted without political interference, intimidation or preferential treatment.
7. Provide the family of the deceased with timely information concerning the investigation and ensure that their right to justice is respected.
8. Ensure that any administrative or governmental panel of inquiry works transparently and does not obstruct or replace the criminal investigation being undertaken by the Police.
THE PEOPLE’S LIFE MATTERS
The Civil Rights Council reminds government authorities and public officials that every human life has equal value before the law.
A civil servant does not become less human because of his position, disagreement with a superior officer or conflict in the workplace.
Likewise, occupying a powerful government position does not give anyone the right to treat another person anyhow.
Public office is a responsibility, not a weapon.
Authority is a trust, not a licence for oppression.
Power must serve the people, not intimidate the people.
The death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda must not become another unresolved case where the circumstances surrounding a citizen’s death disappear beneath bureaucratic procedures.
The Civil Rights Council therefore calls on the Delta State Government, Delta State Police Command, relevant security agencies and other appropriate authorities to demonstrate that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of position, connection or influence.
We also urge members of the public and organised labour to remain peaceful while demanding justice and to allow investigators to establish the facts.
The Civil Rights Council will continue to monitor developments and remains committed to upholding citizens’ rights, defending human dignity and speaking against oppression, intimidation and abuse of authority.
THE PEOPLE’S LIFE MATTERS.
Justice must be done.
Accountability must prevail.
No office is above the law.
Signed:
Comr. Joy E. Edigbine
Coordinator
Civil Rights Council (CRC)
Asaba, Delta State
