Court remands Delta commissioner Izeze, Oborevwori suspends him

A High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has remanded the state Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Reuben Izeze, for 14 days over an alleged assault on Temple Mudi, a Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The development came shortly after the court issued the remand order, with Governor Oborevwori suspending Izeze from office with immediate effect.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu.

According to the statement, the suspension was necessary to allow security agencies conduct an unbiased investigation into allegations linking the commissioner to the reported assault at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.

The state government said the decision was taken in the interest of public safety and the need to ensure that the investigation was conducted without interference.

The statement read in part, “The state government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances to guarantee law and order and the sanctity of lives. This position is upheld even when institutions of state are involved.”

Izeze’s remand and subsequent suspension have further heightened attention around the alleged incident, particularly because it involves a serving member of the state executive and a senior aide to the governor.

The court’s decision means the commissioner will remain in custody for the duration specified by the court as investigations into the allegations continue.

The allegations against Izeze remain subject to due process and judicial determination.