Hon. Eugene Ekpelle, Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area in Rivers State, is facing serious allegations from his former media aide, Minnie Ogadinma. Ogadinma claims he ordered his brother to assault her following a social media post about a dilapidated school.

According to Ogadinma, the dispute began after she shared a video highlighting poor conditions at Community Secondary School in Odioku and tagged VeryDarkMan to seek intervention. She alleged that the chairman later visited her residence with his brother, Monday Cheta, and others, accusing her of attempting to damage his reputation.

Ogadinma claimed Ekpelle instructed his brother to “teach her a lesson,” leading to an assault that left her and her mother injured. She further alleged that neighbors intervened during the altercation and that she was dismissed from her position the same day.

Chairman Ekpelle has denied the accusations, describing them as false and malicious in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary. The council maintained that the visit was intended as a peaceful engagement, asserting that Ogadinma sustained minor injuries after falling during a heated exchange.

The council also clarified that Community Secondary School falls under the jurisdiction of the Rivers State Government, not the local government authority. It urged the public to disregard what it described as attempts to politicize the issue.

Human rights advocates have condemned the alleged incident, with lawyer Chetam Nwala calling for accountability and justice. Civil society group Pilex Centre for Civic Education stated that Ogadinma acted within her constitutional rights to monitor public projects, while other activists demanded a thorough investigation by security agencies.

The conflicting accounts have intensified public debate, placing pressure on authorities to establish the facts. Calls for transparency and due process remain central as the controversy unfolds.