The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Hon. Reuben Rume Yakubu Izeze, was allegedly handcuffed to his hospital bed following a court order reminding security authorities to enforce an earlier directive concerning him.
The development, which occurred amid the commissioner’s reported medical treatment, has generated controversy, particularly over the circumstances surrounding his detention and the enforcement of the court’s directive.
Izeze, who is a member of the Delta State Executive Council headed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, oversees the Ministry of Works responsible for highways and urban roads across the state. He was appointed to the position in August 2023.
The reported incident followed a court proceeding in which the judge was said to have issued a reminder concerning an earlier order relating to the commissioner.
Sources familiar with the matter said the development led to the commissioner being placed under security watch while receiving treatment at the hospital.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged handcuffing, however, remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
It could not immediately be established whether the court order specifically directed that Izeze be handcuffed or whether the security personnel involved acted pursuant to a separate enforcement directive.
The incident has also raised questions about the extent to which a person receiving medical treatment can be subjected to custodial measures while on admission in a hospital.
Izeze is a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, where he represented Ughelli South State Constituency, before his appointment to the State Executive Council.
As Works Commissioner, he has been involved in the supervision of several major road and infrastructure projects across Delta State under the Oborevwori administration. The state government has repeatedly described the ministry’s infrastructure programme as part of its effort to improve connectivity and ease transportation across the state.
The commissioner has also been publicly associated with the administration’s road intervention projects, including the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of major highways and urban roads.
However, the latest development is now expected to attract further legal attention as parties to the matter seek clarification on the exact terms of the court’s order and the circumstances under which it was enforced.
As of press time, there was no official statement from the Delta State Government, the Ministry of Works, the police or the legal representatives of the commissioner explaining the alleged incident.
Further details are expected to emerge as the matter progresses before the court.
