Clarification On Accident Involving Security Details and Driver of the Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly 

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly regrettably wish to clarify the misleading trending video circulating on the social media space in respect to the unfortunate accident that occurred at Obehie in Ukwa West LGA, on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road Expressway.

The tragic incident involving the driver and two security details driving in the official pick-up truck of the Deputy Speaker and a Toyota Spider with two occupants was an unfortunate tragedy. Regrettably, both occupants of the Toyota Spider (The driver and passenger) lost their lives in the collusion.

It is important to state clearly that the Deputy Speaker was not in the pick-up vehicle at the time of the accident. The truck was alone returning from an errand to Port – Harcourt when the unfortunate accident occurred.

The Toyota Spider was driving against traffic (one-way) because of the bad condition of the other side of the lane. According to an eyewitness accounts and submission of the surviving truck driver, the Toyota Spider either suffered a burst tire or brake failure, which caused the spider to lose control and veer into the path of the Deputy Speaker’s pick-up truck. This resulted in a very bad collusion between the two vehicles and, unfortunately, led to the death of the two occupants of the Toyota Spider.

The driver of the truck and the two policemen sustained serious injuries, putting their lives under very critical conditions, to the extent that the driver of the truck is currently on life support and being considered for a spine surgery, following the recommendation of a Neuro Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly considers this a tragic incident and sent emissaries to the bereaved family the following day after the accident (Monday, August 4th, 2025) while working round the clock with medical professionals to save the lives of his surviving driver and security details.

The interface and discussion between the emissaries from the Deputy Speaker and the bereaved family is still ongoing to agree on how best the bereaved family can be supported during this very difficult time without consideration of the circumstances leading to the accident in the first place.

The Deputy Speaker is surprised and pained that such unconfirmed News is being peddled and circulated on the social media spaces against his person without hearing from him and does not believe that the bereaved family can be behind such misrepresentation of facts, considering the circumstances and the communications thus far.

The Deputy Speaker is appealing to the general public, especially the media, to exercise caution to avoid spreading unverified reports, especially in such sensitive matter, involving loss of lives. Out of respect for the deceased and their family, The Deputy Speaker’s Office has deliberately refrained from going into certain details.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini is a man of empathy and responsibility who has consistently supported individuals and families in distress across the State and beyond, even when he is not in any way connected to the parties involved.

The Deputy Speaker once again extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the repose of their souls in God’s bosom.

Signed:

Grant Okeigbo (Media Unit)
Office of the Deputy, Speaker.
Abia State House of Assembly
26th August, 2025.