The executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers state, Hon. Eugene Cheta Epelle, is facing allegations of assault after a young girl, Ogadinma Minnie, claimed she was attacked for posting photos exposing the poor state of facilities of a secondary school.
Ogadinma, a resident of Odiokwu community, said she shared the pictures to highlight the school’s dilapidated condition and attract support for renovations.
She alleged that the Chairman, from the same community, was offended by her posts and accused her of trying to embarrass him.
According to the teenager, the Chairman visited her home, reported her to her mother, and ordered his younger brother to beat her. “While my mother pleaded with him, he told his brother to hit me,” she said, adding that she was struck with a shovel.
Photos circulating online appear to show injuries she claims resulted from the attack.
Responding to the allegations, the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Ezeuwa Lot, described the claims as false and malicious.
In a statement dated March 1, 2026, he said, “The Chairman visited the residence for a peaceful discussion. The young lady insulted him and acted aggressively, prompting a passerby to intervene. She lost her balance during the incident and sustained minor injuries.”
The statement stressed that the Chairman neither assaulted the girl nor instructed anyone to do so and challenged critics to provide credible evidence.
The incident has triggered a heated debate online, raising questions about the safety of citizens who speak out against local government officials and the accountability of public office holders.
