Rivers Chairman Ekpelle assault allegations addressed as Ahoada West council boss denies ordering attack on former media aide
The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area in Rivers State, Hon. Eugene Ekpelle, has denied Rivers Chairman Ekpelle assault allegations made by his former media aide, Minnie Ogadinma, insisting that he neither assaulted nor directed anyone to assault her.
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The denial followed claims by Ogadinma that the council chairman ordered his younger brother, Monday Cheta, to attack her after she posted a video highlighting the poor condition of Community Secondary School, Odioku.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Ezeuwa Lot, Hon. Ekpelle described the allegations as false, malicious and deliberately distorted.
The statement maintained that the chairman visited Ogadinma’s residence for what it termed a peaceful engagement and was confronted with insults.
It further claimed that Ogadinma sustained minor injuries after falling during a heated exchange while being restrained by a passerby.
“At no point did the Chairman engage in any physical confrontation,” the statement said, challenging those circulating the allegation to provide verifiable evidence.
Ogadinma had earlier alleged that Hon. Ekpelle accused her of attempting to damage his image online and instructed his brother to “teach her a lesson.”
She claimed both she and her mother sustained injuries during the altercation and that she was relieved of her duties the same day.
The council also clarified that matters relating to Community Secondary School, Odiokwu, fall under the jurisdiction of the Rivers State Government rather than the local government authority.
The controversy has drawn reaction from civil society groups in Port Harcourt, with calls for an independent investigation into the incident.
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As of press time, there was no official confirmation from security agencies regarding a formal probe.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
