Rivers Student Rejects ₦2.5m After Alleged Assault Over Video Exposing Dilapidated School

A young student, Winnie Miller, who was allegedly assaulted after posting a video highlighting the poor condition of a secondary school in Rivers State, has rejected a ₦2.5 million payment reportedly sent to her as compensation.

Miller, who had earlier shared photos and videos showing the dilapidated state of Community Secondary School in Ahoada West Local Government Area, disclosed in a post on Facebook.

According to her, the money was paid into her account by the chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Eugene Cheta Epelle.

Her statement reads; “Transparency is very important to me, especially at a time like this.

The Chairman Hon Eugene Cheta Epelle transferred ₦2.5 million Naira bribe money to me, and I want to make it very clear to the public that this money was not requested by me and no agreement was reached between us for any form of compensation.

I have been trying to refund the ₦2.5 million, but due to issues with my bank transfer I have been unable to complete the transaction yet. I am still making efforts to return it.

This is also a direct message to the Chairman:
Please understand that I did not reach any agreement with you regarding this case. Matters like this should be handled properly and transparently, not through shady payments.

I cannot be bribed. What I want is simple do the right thing and let justice and accountability take their proper course.

A big thank you to everyone who has continued to stand for truth and justice.”

Miller, a few days ago, alleged that the council chairman had earlier confronted her family over the viral video, accusing her of attempting to tarnish his reputation on social media.

“The Chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Eugene Cheta Epelle, came to my house on Sunday and confronted my mother, telling her that her daughter wants to damage his image on social media because of the video I posted showing the dilapidated secondary school in Ahoada West,” she wrote.

Miller further alleged that the chairman accused her of insulting his office and instructed some individuals to physically attack her in his presence.

“He said I had insulted his office and then instructed people to beat me right in front of him. If not for the intervention of people around, they would have succeeded in killing me,” she added.

The incident reportedly occurred after Miller’s video exposing the deteriorating state of the school building gained attention online, sparking discussions about infrastructure in public schools in the area.

As of the time of filing this report, Eugene Cheta Epelle and officials of Ahoada West Local Government Area had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the alleged assault or the rejected payment.