State Gov Directs Suspended Commissioner to Resume After 10 Weeks

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed the suspended Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, to resume office after completing 10 weeks from the date of his suspension.

Oborevwori announced the decision on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the Auditor-General and members of the governing councils of the University of Delta, Southern Delta University and Dennis Osadebay University at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

The governor said Izeze had appealed for forgiveness and indicated his readiness to return to the public and address the circumstances surrounding his suspension.

Oborevwori said the commissioner contacted him on Tuesday morning to seek forgiveness and also asked that the public be informed that he had recently returned from the correctional facility.

The governor said public office holders must conduct themselves properly because they are not above the law. He added that his decision to reconsider Izeze’s suspension was influenced by the commissioner’s appeal and his willingness to face the public.

Oborevwori, however, noted that Izeze had not yet completed the period he had stipulated for his suspension to end.

He therefore directed the commissioner to remain away from office until 10 weeks had elapsed from the date of his suspension, after which he would be allowed to resume his duties.

Izeze was suspended indefinitely by the Delta State Government on August 10 following allegations linking him to the alleged assault of the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple.

The incident reportedly occurred during an All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun, Delta State.

The state government had said the suspension was intended to allow security agencies to investigate the allegations without interference.

Before his suspension, Izeze was arraigned before a Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun over the alleged assault and was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Okere, Warri. Reports at the time indicated that the court ordered his remand for 14 days pending further proceedings.

The suspension subsequently attracted appeals from groups and political stakeholders who urged the governor to reconsider the decision and allow Izeze to return to office.

With the latest directive, Oborevwori has set a specific timeline for the commissioner’s return while reiterating the need for discipline and responsible conduct among government officials.