The continued detention of Delta State Commissioner for Works on Highways and Urban Roads, Hon. Reuben Izeze, has sparked concern among his lawyers and supporters, who are demanding his immediate release or arraignment before a competent court.

Izeze was reportedly arrested on July 30, 2026, and taken to the Ekpan Police Station for questioning over his alleged connection with the assault on Temple Mudi, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Protocol.

The incident occurred during the Delta Central Senatorial District APC Stakeholders’ Conference held at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre on July 30.

According to eyewitness accounts, Mudi, popularly known as Temple, was allegedly attacked and severely beaten by youths suspected to be thugs linked to Izeze. The circumstances surrounding the incident, however, remain unclear.

Mudi was reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is said to be receiving treatment.

Following the incident, Izeze was arrested and detained at the Ekpan Police Station while police investigate his alleged involvement.

However, the police authorities in Ekpan have yet to issue an official statement on the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.

Efforts by Izeze’s lawyer, Joe Okeke, and The Guardian to speak with the detained commissioner, Mudi and the police authorities were unsuccessful, as the sectional head of the area command was said to have left the station.

The development has generated public interest across Delta Central, particularly in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Effurun and surrounding communities, with residents awaiting the outcome of the police investigation.

Speaking on behalf of his client, Okeke condemned the alleged attack on Mudi, while insisting that the constitutional right to the presumption of innocence must be respected.

He said: “We sympathise with Hon. Mudi Temple and condemn the attack on him. However, there is another side of the picture. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the presumption of innocence to every person accused of a crime until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Okeke urged the Area Commander of the Ekpan Police Station to either release Izeze or charge him to court if the police have sufficient evidence against him.

He questioned the continued detention of the commissioner, stressing that the police should complete their investigation and establish a prima facie case before proceeding with prosecution.

“We understand that the police have 24 hours, or in certain circumstances 48 hours, to arrest and detain a suspect. Thereafter, the suspect should either be released on bail or charged to court, depending on the circumstances,” he said.

The lawyer said several efforts had been made to secure Izeze’s release, but that those efforts had not yielded the expected result.

He also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to examine the circumstances surrounding the detention and ensure that due process was followed.

According to Okeke, the fact that Izeze is a serving commissioner and a legal practitioner makes it even more important that his fundamental rights are respected.

“It is not lawful for a suspect to be arrested before investigation is conducted. It is far better for the police to investigate the facts and determine whether a prima facie case exists before making an arrest,” he said.

Okeke further said his team visited the police station in the public interest and to ascertain the condition of their client.

“We came here with the press to know how our commissioner is faring and to check on his health, but we were denied entry,” he said.

He said the investigating police officer at Ekpan asked them to wait for the sectional head of the command, but the Area Commander subsequently left the station.

“At this point, we say no to the continued detention of Hon. Reuben Izeze in custody. If there is a case against him, he should be charged before a competent court,” Okeke said. (The Guardian)

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