The crisis arising from the violence surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting took a fresh turn on Monday as the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Hon. Reuben Izeze, was reportedly remanded for 14 days by the Effurun State High Court over issues relating to the alleged assault of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple.
Key Highlights
- Reuben Izeze reportedly remanded for 14 days.
- Remand follows violence at APC stakeholders’ meeting.
- Court proceedings took place in Effurun.
- Izeze was linked to alleged assault case.
- Details of charges remain unclear.
The development comes days after the contentious incident at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, where the APC stakeholders’ meeting was held.
Details of the charges against Izeze were not immediately available as of press time.
However, a viral video showed the commissioner entering a police Toyota Sienna vehicle after the court proceedings before he was driven away from the court premises.
The circumstances surrounding the remand order, including the specific offences for which Izeze was brought before the court and the identity of the complainant or prosecution, could not be independently established at the time of filing this report.
The development represents a significant escalation of the controversy that followed the APC meeting, with conflicting accounts emerging from the political actors involved.
Izeze had earlier accused the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Tony Ofoni, of orchestrating an assault against him during the incident.
In a statement issued after the incident, Izeze alleged that he was handcuffed and attacked by individuals he described as Ofoni’s associates.
He also claimed that his prescription glasses, wristwatch, cash and other personal belongings were taken during the incident.
“After you had personally handcuffed me, you took off my blue-coloured Tinubu/Sheriff hat and… purposely took off my glasses because you knew… how badly shortsighted I was,” Izeze alleged.
He further claimed that he sustained an injury to his nose during the alleged assault and maintained that he was not armed.
“Did I hold a gun? No! Did I sling a bow? No! Did I carry Otishe? No! So what was my offence? For refusing to die!” he stated.
Izeze had also alleged that he was on a telephone conversation with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), when his phone was allegedly snatched during the incident.
The latest court development now places Izeze at the centre of a legal process arising from the same episode, although the precise nature of the allegations before the court remains unclear.
The development also follows the Delta State Government’s condemnation of the violence.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, had said the government was disturbed by videos of the incident circulating online, particularly the reported attack on Mudi.
Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has directed security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
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He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and law and order, stressing that violent conduct would not be tolerated irrespective of the status or identity of those involved.
The incident had earlier generated controversy over whether the violence occurred during or in connection with the APC Delta Central stakeholders’ meeting.
The Delta State APC, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, rejected reports that the stakeholders’ meeting itself was disrupted by violence.
The party maintained that the meeting was well attended and concluded peacefully, insisting that scenes contained in videos circulating online did not originate from the main conference hall where the stakeholders were gathered.
According to the APC, the disputed scenes occurred at another location within the expansive PTI complex and should not be presented as evidence that the stakeholders’ meeting descended into chaos.
The party also rejected suggestions of factional crisis within the Delta APC, maintaining that the party has one recognised State Executive Committee.
As of press time, neither the state government nor the police authorities had issued an official statement specifically confirming the 14-day remand order or providing details of the allegations against Izeze.
The case is therefore expected to attract further attention as details of the court proceedings and the specific charges, if formally disclosed, emerge.
