03/03/2026
Rights Advocacy and Development Centre - RADEC joins other civil society organisations in Rivers State to address the press on alleged assault and human rights abuse of Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi by the Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area
When a young woman becomes the loudest voice for justice, it should concern everyone.
Our schools deserve attention. Our children deserve protection. Retaliation is not leadership!
Read our full statement 👇🏽
TUESDAY, 3RD MARCH 2026,
PRESS CONFERENCE BY RELIEF HUMAN RIGHTS CLINIC AND OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN RIVERS STATE ON THE ASSAULT AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE OF MISS OGADIMMA MINNIE UCHECHI BY THE CHAIRMAN OF AHOADA WEST LGA
We, the Relief Human Rights Clinic, together with partner civil society organisations in Rivers State, address the public today on a grave case of assault, abuse of power, and gross violation of fundamental human rights against Miss Ogadimma Minnie Uchechi (26 years), an indigene of Odioku Village in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Background of the Case
On Monday, 2nd March 2026, at about 2:20pm, Miss Ogadimma Minnie Uchechi ran to our office seeking urgent protection after she and her mother were violently assaulted on the orders of the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr. Eugene Epelle Cheta.
Miss Ogadimma, a farmer and community volunteer, had visited Community Secondary School Odioku as part of her routine sensitization outreach. She was distressed by the deplorable and unsafe condition of the school environment—students learning in dilapidated classrooms without basic furniture.
She engaged the school principal on possible community support and recorded a video highlighting the condition of the school. The video, she posted on Facebook, attracted sympathy and commitments of support from concerned indigenes in the diaspora.
ABUSE OF POWER AND VIOLENT ASSAULT
Rather than appreciate her civic action, the Local Government Chairman reportedly felt embarrassed by the exposure. On Sunday, 1st March 2026, he allegedly stormed Miss Ogadimma’s family home with his younger brother, Thuggs, security personnel’s and other associates, demanded her whereabouts from her mother, and ordered that the house be searched.
Witness accounts indicate that the Chairman instructed those with him to assault both mother and daughter, boasting that “nothing would happen” because he is the Chairman. Miss Ogadimma and her mother were brutally attacked. In fear for her life, Miss Ogadimma escaped and fled to Port Harcourt.
She sought medical attention at the Nigeria Police Clinic and reported the incident to International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch, before formally reporting to the Relief Human Rights Clinic.
THREATS, INTIMIDATION, AND FEAR FOR SAFETY
Following the incident, Miss Ogadimma received threats and intimidating calls from unknown persons. She also received calls purportedly from political office holders and even the Divisional Police Officer of her LGA, which heightened her fear. The Chairman allegedly boasted that no one could protect her and that she would “pay with her life.”
This pattern of intimidation constitutes obstruction of justice, abuse of office, and a continuing threat to life and safety.
OUR DEMANDS
As a human rights coalition, we demand the following:
1. Immediate invitation, arrest, and prosecution of Mr. Eugene Epelle Cheta by the Nigeria Police Force for assault, criminal intimidation, and abuse of office.
2. Public apology by the Chairman to Miss Ogadimma Minnie Uchechi and her mother.
3. Full compensation for medical expenses, displacement, and psychological trauma suffered by the victims.
4. Public disclosure of the financial allocations and expenditures of Ahoada West LGA, in line with transparency and accountability obligations.
5. The Rivers State House of Assembly must summon the Chairman to account for his stewardship, in the Local Government since he assumed office as we are aware that the allocation to that LGA is over 1BILLION Naira monthly. This we believe the chairman has become intoxicated with as his cocoafarm.
6. In line with the complaint of Miss Ogadimma’s about the deplorable state of schools in Ahoada West, we demand that the LGA chairman renovates all the schools in the LGA within the next 90 days.
MEDICAL FINDINGS AND NATURE OF THE ATTACK
As a direct result of the violent assault, Miss Ogadimma Minnie Uchechi sustained serious bodily injuries, including: a fracture to her hand, injuries to her neck, cuts and injuries to her lips. These injuries were medically attended to at the Nigeria Police Clinic in Port Harcourt.
We further state that the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr. Eugene Epelle Cheta, allegedly arrived at the victim’s family residence accompanied by armed thugs and security personnel, and that these persons actively participated in the attack and intimidation of Miss Ogadimma and her mother.
This conduct constitutes criminal assault, conspiracy, intimidation, abuse of office, and violations of the fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, and personal security guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We reiterate our call on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately investigate, arrest, and prosecute all persons involved both principals and accomplices—regardless of status or office within the next 7 days as we will stop at nothing than to fight for justice for all citizens that their rights has been trampled upon.
This Statement is signed by;
RELIEF INTERNATIONAL AFRICA…………………………..........GREEN ISAAC
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED CENTER ………….DR. EKPERE EDEGBUO
RIGHTS ADVOCACY & DEV. CENTRE-RADEC…………………COMR EJIT JOSIAH
ENVIRONMENATL RIGHTS ACTION……………...............…. KENTEBE EBIARIDOR
OLEGH CENTER………......................…………………………………..DORNUWILE APENU
PILEX CENTER FOR CIVIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE...……BARR COURAGE NSIRIMOVU
VOICES FOR CHANGE…………………………………. GIFT MEELUBARI
Kebetkache, HOMEF, MEDI, Relief Internation Africa, Social Action, Pilex Cemtre
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