Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has suspended the Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, indefinitely over allegations linking him to the assault of the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple.
The suspension takes immediate effect.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday.
The Delta State Government said the suspension was necessary to allow security agencies to carry out an impartial investigation into the alleged incident, which reportedly took place at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, in Effurun, Delta State.
The statement read in part, “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.”
According to the government, the decision was taken to ensure that the investigation is conducted without interference.
The state government said the Oborevwori-led administration remains committed to protecting public safety, maintaining law and order and safeguarding human lives.
“The State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives,” the statement said.
It added that the commitment applied “even when institutions of state are involved.”
The suspension followed an alleged confrontation between Izeze and Mudi at PTI, Effurun.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
The state government did not state how long the investigation would last or whether Izeze would be reinstated after the probe.
It added that the suspension is an administrative action to allow for a proper investigation and does not mean that the commissioner has been found guilty.
