The Delta State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, indefinitely over allegations connecting him to the alleged assault of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple.
The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, and takes effect immediately.
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According to the state government, Izeze was suspended to allow security agencies to investigate the allegations without interference and establish what transpired during the incident at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.
“The suspension is to enable the security agencies to carry out an unbiased investigation of allegations associating him with the assault on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr Simon Mudi, also known as Temple, at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, recently,” the statement said.
The government said maintaining public safety and law and order remained central to the administration, stressing that the investigation must be allowed to run its course.
“The State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives,” it stated.
The government further said the principle applied “even when institutions of state are involved.”
The suspension follows reports of an alleged confrontation between Izeze and Mudi at PTI, Effurun. Details of what led to the reported incident and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault are expected to be established during the investigation.
The state government did not give a timeline for the probe or indicate whether Izeze would return to office after the investigation.
Izeze, who represents Ughelli South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, was appointed Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
His suspension is an administrative measure intended to allow the investigation to proceed without interference and does not amount to a determination of guilt.