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The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr. Eugene Epelle Cheta, has denied allegations that he assaulted a teenage girl following her criticism of the condition of a public secondary school in Odiokwu community.
The denial was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Ezeuwa Lot on Monday.
Lot dismissed the claims, maintaining that it was a passerby that attracted the girl and not the council boss, adding that his principal’s visit to the girl’s residence was for a peaceful engagement.
The statement reads in part, “Moments later, the accuser moved aggressively toward the chairman while continuing her verbal attack.
“A passerby intervened to prevent escalation. In the process of being restrained, she reportedly lost her balance, fell, and sustained minor injuries.”
The denial followed mounting tension over the development as residents accused the council boss of leading associates and security aides to the family’s residence, where the girl, identified as Winnie Miller, was allegedly assaulted for exposing the deplorable state of her community’s only secondary school.
It was gathered that the teenager had taken photographs and recorded videos of the decaying infrastructure of the secondary school and shared them on social media to draw public attention to the situation.
The school in question is located in Odiokwu, the hometown of the chairman, as well as the lawmaker representing Ahoada West/Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Victor Obuzor.
It was learnt that the teenage girl following the attack allegedly sustained injuries, including a bruised lip.
A resident who simply have his name as Uche condemned the development, stating, “No democratic government is above constructive criticism. What the young girl said about the school is true. Assaulting her over it is unacceptable.”
Another concerned resident who preferred anonymity said, “Our attention has been drawn to the intimidation and harassment of Winnie Uchechi for speaking up about the failure to renovate the secondary school in her village. Leadership requires accountability, not violence.”
Other residents have called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute the council chairman over the alleged assault, insisting that public office holders must be held accountable.
When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the development , adding that an investigation was underway.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, further assured that details would be made available after preliminary findings are concluded.
