A media executive and contractor, Innocent Chas Kwantagora, has accused officials of the Enugu State Government of assault, illegal detention and sustained intimidation, calling on federal security and human rights agencies to intervene in what he described as a grave abuse of power.
In a petition circulated to media organisations, Kwantagora, Managing Director of Daart-Chas Integrated Media Services (Nig.), alleged that he was violently assaulted on November 14, 2025, during a peaceful one-man protest near the Enugu State Government House over an unpaid contractual debt of ₦10 million, outstanding since 2024.
According to the petitioner, the protest was aimed at drawing attention to repeated, but unsuccessful, efforts to secure payment through official channels. He alleged that the assault was carried out by the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, resulting in serious eye injuries and partial loss of vision in his left eye, for which he said he has undergone medical treatment.
Kwantagora further claimed that his life was threatened during the incident, adding that police officers at the scene intervened to prevent further violence. He praised the officers for what he described as their professional conduct, saying their intervention may have saved him from more severe harm.
He alleged that after the incident, he was taken away in a police vehicle on the instruction of the state official, but instead of being formally arrested or charged, he was later abandoned along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway. He claimed that personal documents, including original contract papers and correspondence with relevant authorities, were seized and have not been returned.
The media executive said the incident was part of a broader pattern of harassment linked to his demand for payment. He recalled that in 2024, he was allegedly picked up at night by a police officer attached to Government House and detained at the New Haven Police Station. He said he was later released after senior police officers advised that the debt issue be resolved amicably.
Beyond the physical injuries, Kwantagora said the prolonged dispute has inflicted severe personal and financial hardship. He disclosed that he has lost custody of his three children, attributing this to his deteriorating economic situation and health challenges arising from the unresolved matter.
“For more than one year, I have pursued peaceful and lawful means for resolution,” he said. “I have never resorted to violence or unlawful conduct. My demand is simply for what is legitimately owed.”
Kwantagora warned that the alleged intimidation of citizens seeking redress from government institutions poses a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law. He said no Nigerian should be subjected to violence or fear for demanding accountability from public authorities.
He called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Office of the National Security Adviser to investigate the allegations, recover his confiscated documents, guarantee his safety, and ensure a lawful resolution of the dispute.
As at press time, the Enugu State Government had yet to respond to the allegations. Calls and messages seeking comment from relevant state officials were not returned.
Observers say the case underscores growing concerns about citizens’ rights, accountability, and access to justice, particularly in disputes involving government institutions.