The family of Unity Ekwevugbe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, has expressed their discontent with the state government's investigative panel set up to look into the circumstances surrounding his death. They have announced their intention to pursue justice through legal avenues instead.

Adeda's family, led by his brother, Oberhiri Adeda, articulated their concerns regarding the panel's composition, stating that they lack confidence in its ability to deliver an impartial investigation. Oberhiri highlighted the issue of civil servants investigating other civil servants, noting that the Commissioner involved remains in office without any civil society or family representatives included in the panel. He stated, "We have given opposition to the composition of the panel; we don’t have confidence in it."

The family is particularly troubled by the lack of engagement with individuals who were allegedly present during the incident that led to Adeda's death. They question whether these individuals have been invited to provide testimony, emphasizing that video evidence exists showing witnesses who have yet to be questioned.

In response to the family's concerns, Senator Ede Dafinone, representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, has called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Adeda's death. He described the situation as deeply troubling and urged for accountability, stating, "There must be no cover-up, no sacred cows and no attempt to shield anyone found culpable."

The Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) clarified that they did not officially strike over the incident but temporarily withdrew their services to demand a thorough investigation. NLC chairman Goodluck Ofobruku emphasized that the withdrawal was not a formal strike, which would require a 14-day notice, but rather a call for safety assurances for workers in the wake of Adeda's tragic death.

Ofobruku stated, "We didn’t go on strike. We only withdrew our services asking government to conduct a thorough investigation to unravel what actually happened that led to the beating to death of our member, a worker in the office."

The police are currently conducting a separate investigation into the criminal aspects of the case. The NLC has indicated that they will wait for the outcome of these investigations before deciding on further action.

Public affairs analyst Sammy Afamefune Anukwu has also weighed in on the matter, stressing the need for both administrative and criminal investigations if evidence suggests that unlawful actions contributed to Adeda's death. He stated, "This is a very grave allegation. If established, it is not a disciplinary issue alone; it is a criminal homicide arising from gross abuse of office."

The family’s rejection of the administrative panel and the ongoing police investigation have intensified calls for a thorough examination of the events leading to Adeda's death, with many urging authorities to ensure that justice is served based on the evidence available.