A controversy has erupted in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State following allegations of assault made by Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi against the Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon. Eugene Chita Epelle.
Uchechi alleged that the incident occurred after she made a Facebook post highlighting the deteriorating and unsafe learning conditions at Community Secondary School, Odiokwu, and called on well-meaning individuals to support renovation efforts.
According to her account, the Chairman, who is from the same community, took offence at the post and accused her of attempting to embarrass him. She claimed that on March 1, 2026, the Chairman visited her family compound and reported her to her mother over the social media publication.
Uchechi further alleged that while her mother was pleading on her behalf, the Chairman ordered his younger brother to assault her, resulting in injuries. She said she was physically attacked during the encounter.
However, the Chairman has denied the allegations.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Ezeuwa Lot, the Chairman described the claims as “false, malicious and deliberately distorted.”
The statement maintained that the Chairman did not at any time lead or instruct anyone to assault, intimidate or harass the accuser. It explained that the Chairman had visited the residence for what it described as a peaceful engagement with her mother.
According to the statement, Uchechi allegedly approached the Chairman during the visit, verbally insulted him and later moved aggressively toward him, prompting a passerby to intervene. In the process of being restrained, she reportedly fell and sustained minor injuries.
The Chairman’s office challenged the accuser to provide credible evidence to substantiate her claims.
The statement also noted that public secondary schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Rivers State Government, adding that the Chairman remains open to constructive dialogue on community development issues.
As of the time of filing this report, no official confirmation from law enforcement authorities had been made regarding the incident.
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