The Chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, Hon. Eugene Cheta Epelle, has been accused of assaulting a young girl named Ogadinma Minnie after she shared photos showing the poor condition of a secondary school in her community.
She said her intention was to draw attention to the decay and seek support from well-spirited individuals to help renovate the school. She claimed the Chairman, who is from the same community (Odiokwu community), became offended and accused her of trying to embarrass him.
According to her, the Chairman later visited her family compound and reported her to her mother. She alleged that while her mother was pleading on her behalf, the Chairman ordered his younger brother to beat her, and that she was hit with a shovel. Photos circulating online reportedly show injuries from the alleged incident.
However, the Chairman, through his Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Ezeuwa Lot, has denied the claims, describing them as false and malicious.
In a statement dated March 1, 2026, the Press Secretary said the Chairman visited the residence for a peaceful discussion. He alleged that the young lady insulted the Chairman and acted aggressively, and that a passerby intervened. According to the statement, she lost balance during the intervention and sustained minor injuries.
The statement maintained that the Chairman did not assault or instruct anyone to assault her and challenged critics to provide credible evidence.
Mr. Chairman are you supposed to visit the young lady ‘s house .? all you needed to do was to work on the said school depending on availability of funds , what manner of embarrassment you are doing to yourself.