State commissioner suspended
The Delta State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, indefinitely over allegations that he was involved in the assault of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple.
The suspension was announced on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, in an official statement issued on behalf of the state government.
The suspension took effect immediately and is expected to remain in place while security agencies investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.
The government said the decision was taken to allow the security agencies to carry out their work without interference.
It said the investigation would determine what happened during the reported confrontation involving Izeze and Mudi at the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun, Delta State.
According to the state government, removing the commissioner from office temporarily would help create an environment where the investigation could be carried out fairly and without concerns over possible influence from his position.
The government also said maintaining peace, public safety and law and order remained important responsibilities of the administration.
It added that the protection of human life and respect for the law applied to everyone, including government officials and public institutions.
The alleged assault reportedly followed a confrontation between Izeze and Mudi at the PTI premises in Effurun.
Details of what led to the confrontation and the events that followed have not been fully made public.
Security agencies are expected to question people connected to the incident and examine the circumstances surrounding the allegation as part of their investigation.
The state government has not announced when the investigation will be completed.
It also has not said whether Izeze will return to his position after the investigation or whether further administrative action will be taken.
Izeze is also a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, where he represents Ughelli South Constituency.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori appointed him as Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) as part of his administration.
The suspension is an administrative measure intended to allow the investigation to proceed. It does not mean that the commissioner has been found guilty of the alleged offence.
