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

The suspension takes immediate effect.

The state government announced the suspension in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspension was to enable security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the alleged assault, which reportedly occurred at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State.

The government said the decision was necessary to ensure that the investigation was conducted without interference.

The statement read, “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 government stressed that public safety and the maintenance of law and order remained priorities of the administration.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting human life and ensuring that public institutions and officials were not placed above the law.

The statement added, “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 principle remained applicable “even when institutions of state are involved.”

The suspension followed an alleged confrontation involving Izeze and Mudi at the PTI, Effurun.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to form part of the investigation by the security agencies.

The state government did not disclose the duration of the investigation or state whether Izeze would be reinstated upon its conclusion.

Izeze, who represents Ughelli South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, was appointed Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.