Enugu, Nigeria

A deaf lawyer and disability rights advocate, Catherine Edeh, has recounted an alleged incident of harassment and discrimination by a security operative at the gate of the Enugu State Government House on Monday, October 20th, 2025.

In a detailed Facebook post addressed to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Edeh—who is the Executive Director of Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI)—shared how a security officer barred her from entering the Government House, claiming she was “indecently dressed.”

According to Edeh, she and her team had visited the Government House to deliver documents following a previous meeting with a senior state official. However, she alleged that upon arrival, one of the security personnel mocked her, refused to address her directly, and insisted that only her interpreter could be allowed inside.

“He cannot grant me access because, according to him, I am indecently dressed… He was highly inexperienced in attending to deaf callers at the Government House and seemed to feel a deaf young lady should not dress freely,” she wrote.

Edeh described the encounter as “humiliating,” alleging that the officer gestured at her in a demeaning manner and treated her “as if I were an imbecile.” She added that while one of the security personnel later apologized through her staff, the officer involved did not.

An image of Cathrine Chi Edeh, smiling indoors, posing with one hand on her hip and the other hand making a peace sign. She is wearing glasses, a white blazer with lace sleeves, a black blouse, black shorts, sheer tights, and open-toe tan heels. She has a lanyard with an ID badge around her neck and a light beige handbag hanging from her shoulder. She has curly hair and is standing on a shiny tiled floor, with a light-colored wall in the background.
An image of Cathrine Chi Edeh with dark curly hair is standing indoors on a shiny tiled floor. She is wearing glasses and has a warm smile. Her outfit includes a white blazer with sheer lace sleeves over a black satin top, paired with black high-waisted shorts. She accessorizes with large hoop earrings, a gold necklace, a blue lanyard with an ID badge, several rings, and a cream-colored handbag. She is also wearing open-toe beige heels and has her nails painted red. One hand is on her hip, and she appears confident and stylish. The background shows a neutral wall and part of a window.

The advocate, who played a key role in the passage of the Enugu State Disability Rights Law, called on the governor to investigate the matter and ensure appropriate sanctions.

“I call on Your Excellency to investigate the issue and give appropriate sanctions where applicable to discourage recurrence,” she appealed.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Enugu State Government regarding the allegations.

Inclusion Post emphasizes that persons with disabilities deserve respect, dignity, and equal treatment in all public spaces, in accordance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

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