Police Invite Rivers LG Chairman Over Alleged Assault on Woman Who Filmed Dilapidated School

The Rivers State Police Command has summoned the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Eugene Epelle, for questioning over an alleged assault on a young woman, Minnie Ogadinma.

The invitation follows a viral video in which Ogadinma accused the council chairman of ordering an attack on her after she documented the poor state of a community school.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Friday. She stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had directed the Divisional Police Officer in the area to invite both Epelle and Ogadinma for questioning.

“We are aware of the incident, but the girl has not made any report to the police. However, the CP has directed that the two parties the lady and the council chairman should be invited for questioning to ascertain the true situation. After that, appropriate actions will be taken,” Iringe-Koko said.

The police action came amid calls from human rights activists, including Chetam Nwala and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, urging the commissioner to investigate the matter.

Woman’s Account of the Incident

In a viral video on Monday, Ogadinma alleged that Epelle, along with his younger brother Monday Cheta and an aide, came to her family home on Sunday and ordered the brother to assault her.

Ogadinma, from Odiokwu Community in Ahoada West, said the incident began after she photographed and recorded a video of the dilapidated Community Secondary School in the area. She explained that her intention was to seek government intervention for renovations, not to embarrass anyone.

“I visited my community secondary school in Odiokwu; when I got there, I saw how bad the school was, so I made a video calling for help. I tagged ‘Very Dark Man’ asking him to help renovate the school. The school has no roof,” she said.

According to her, the chairman and his companions arrived at her home around 1 p.m. while she and her mother were seated outside. She alleged that Epelle instructed his brother to attack her, leading to physical assault.

“I ran into my compound, but he pushed the gate, broke our rubber and chased me to the front of our building. The brother hit me on the face, on my lips. He even held me by the neck, choking me,” Ogadinma claimed.

She added that the chairman allegedly threatened to kill her, leaving her and her mother in fear. “He said if he kills me, nobody will challenge him in my family. I want the chairman of Ahoada West, Mr Eugene Epelle, to face the consequences of what he has done,” she said.

Activists Condemn Alleged Assault

Reacting to the incident, human rights activist Chetam Nwala condemned the alleged harassment, describing it as “disappointing and unacceptable in a democratic society.”

“We are calling on the Commissioner of Police to immediately investigate and prosecute the Ahoada West LGA chairman to serve as a deterrent to others,” Nwala said on a radio programme monitored in Port Harcourt.

He stressed that public officials must accept criticism. “Political office holders should know that if you do not want to be criticised, don’t hold public or government offices. You cannot use thugs to intimidate, beat, or threaten those who criticise you. This is one too many.”

The National Legal Adviser of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Henry Ekene, also condemned the attack, describing it as “disturbing, unfortunate, and unbecoming of a public official.”

Ekene noted that citizens have a right to highlight governance gaps without fear. “Citizen participation in governance continues even after elections. This includes checking government activities and reporting gaps for appropriate intervention,” he said.

He added that the incident suggests a lack of understanding of governance, noting that the poor state of Community Secondary School, Odiokwu, is not unique and requires attention from both the council and state government.

Chairman Denies Allegations

In response, the council chairman, through his Chief Press Secretary Dennis Ezeuwa, described the allegations as false and misleading.

Ezeuwa stated that Epelle’s visit to Ogadinma’s residence was peaceful and that he did not lead anyone to assault her. According to the statement, the chairman visited for a “peaceful and mature engagement” with the woman’s mother.

The statement alleged that during the discussion, Ogadinma approached the chairman unprovoked, hurled insults, and used unprintable names. It claimed the chairman maintained composure and continued his discussion calmly with her mother.

“Moments later, the accuser again moved aggressively toward the chairman while continuing her verbal attack. A passer-by intervened to prevent escalation. In the process of being restrained, she reportedly lost balance, fell, and sustained minor injury,” the statement read.

The chairman’s office challenged the accuser to present credible evidence, such as video footage or photographs, showing Epelle leading or participating in any assault. “At no point did the chairman engage in any physical confrontation. He neither touched nor instructed anyone to touch her,” the statement added.