OBOREVWORI SETS TEN-WEEK TIMELINE FOR IZEZE’S RETURN TO OFFICE

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has lifted the suspension of the Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Reuben Izeze, directing him to resume duties after completing 10 weeks from the date his suspension began. The governor announced the decision on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 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. 

Oborevwori said the decision followed an appeal from Izeze, who had reportedly contacted him earlier in the day to ask for forgiveness. The governor said the commissioner had also expressed his willingness to return to the public and address the circumstances surrounding his suspension. Oborevwori explained that although Izeze had been suspended for less than two months at the time of the announcement, his appeal and decision to face the public influenced the governor's decision to set a definite timeline for his return. 

Izeze was suspended indefinitely 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 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 conduct an impartial investigation without interference from the commissioner.

Before his suspension, Izeze had also been 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. During his period in custody, he reportedly became involved in efforts to assist other inmates who could not afford fines imposed by courts as alternatives to custodial sentences. An organisation associated with the “UKODO NA TẸVWẸ” welfare initiative subsequently paid about ₦9.77 million in fines for 20 inmates, although five beneficiaries initially remained in custody because the relevant court was on break. 

The governor, while announcing the decision, stressed that public officials must conduct themselves responsibly because no one in government is above the law. He said his administration would continue to demand discipline from those serving in public office, while also indicating that Izeze’s appeal and willingness to face the public had influenced the decision to allow him to return. The commissioner is therefore expected to resume his duties once the 10-week period calculated from the date of his suspension is completed.