Rivers Lawmaker accused of rape has been suspended

Yesterday we shared a post about a lady who went on a one-man protest in Abuja to demand justice for her sister who was allegedly raped by one Onwume Chetachi, a Council lawmaker, in Rivers State. Read the post here.

Today, Onwume Chetachi has been suspended by his colleagues in Rivers state.

Rivers State’s Etche Legislative Assembly suspended Hon. Chetachi Onwume, the Councillor representing Igbo One Ward Three, over allegations of rape leveled against him in Abuja. .

The leader of the House, Rt. Honorable Blackson Nwayanwu, announced the suspension, today, shortly after a motion of suspension was raised by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Collins Nwankwo, and seconded by the councilor representing Ndashi Ward 17, Hon. Tony Nwaelem.

Rt. Hon Nwanyanwu said the suspension of Chetachi Onwume was carried out pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the Police in Abuja.

A committee, comprising of all members of the House, was set up to carry out an independent investigation on the matter. The committee has 14 days to carry out its findings.

Onwume was accused of raping a female hotel attendant in Abuja on Monday night. The victim’s sister, Cumbae Uchendu, had claimed her sister was raped after Onwume, who lodged at the hotel, requested for his bill to be brought to his room.

She alleged that her sister was later rescued by customers and other workers who heard her screams and kept banging on the room door of the councilor. She alleged further, that the suspect later tried to bribe her sister with N50k, which she rejected.