The Works Commissioner was suspended indefinitely to allow an impartial investigation into an alleged confrontation involving a governor’s aide

The Delta State Government has indefinitely suspended the Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, over allegations linking him to the assault of the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple, at the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun.

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The suspension, which took immediate effect on Monday, was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu.

The government said the decision was taken to allow security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations surrounding the reported incident without interference.

“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 reported confrontation between Izeze and Mudi at the institute is expected to form a central part of the investigation, although the government did not provide further details about what allegedly occurred.

The authorities also did not disclose how long the suspension would last or indicate whether Izeze would return to office after the investigation is concluded.

The state government said the suspension was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and reaffirmed that public safety and the maintenance of law and order remained priorities of the administration.

“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 said.

The government stressed that the principle also applied when state institutions and public officials were involved.

The decision places a senior member of the state administration under scrutiny while security agencies determine the facts surrounding the alleged assault.

Izeze is also a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, representing Ughelli South Constituency. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori appointed him Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads).

The suspension therefore carries both administrative and political significance, although the government has framed it primarily as a measure to facilitate an independent investigation.

The reported incident comes amid increasing attention to the conduct of public officials and the responsibility of government institutions to ensure that allegations involving their personnel are properly investigated.

For the Delta State Government, the immediate priority is to allow the security agencies to establish what happened at PTI, Effurun, and determine whether any individual should face further action.

The suspension itself does not establish wrongdoing by Izeze. It is an administrative measure intended to allow the investigation to proceed without interference, while any determination of responsibility will depend on the outcome of the probe.