Outrage in Ebonyi as Community accuses Umahi of land grabbing

By Our Correspondent

People of Umuchima community in Uburu clan, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, under the aegis of the United Umuchima Community General Assembly, have accused a former governor of the state and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, of forcibly taking over their ancestral farmlands and economic trees.

They also alleged that Umahi’s high-handedness and undue interference in the affairs of Umuchima community have resulted in the deaths of several natives, and called on civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to intervene.

In a document signed by the National President of the United Umuchima Community General Assembly, Arc. Sunday Chukwu, and the National Secretary, Mr. Ezenwa James, the community alleged that the minister was hiding under the guise of proposed state and federal government projects to evict them from their farmlands.

The document, dated December 21, 2025, and sighted by our Correspondent on Monday, read in part: “A hilarious period suddenly turned into the darkest period for Ndi-Umuchima in Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. On assuming office as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2015, expectations and hopes were high in Uburu, where Senator David Nweze Umahi comes from. Of course, Umuchima community is one of the 14 communities in Uburu and the most populous.

However, this joyful atmosphere turned sour when Senator Umahi, then Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, began taking measures that disrespected and relegated Ndi-Umuchima to the background.

“First, Umahi hid under the guise of state and federal government projects and forcefully evicted natives of Umuchima community from their ancestral homes and farmlands. These actions were carried out with intimidation, harassment, and bullying by armed thugs.

“Most pathetically, the desecration of our customs and traditions, demolition of ancestral homes and farmlands, and their annexation allegedly led to the deaths of some of our kinsmen and women.

“For instance, Mrs. Elizabeth Offora, popularly known as Nwunye Offora, whose home and economic trees were being demolished, slumped after witnessing an excavator exhume the decomposing remains of her husband, who had been buried only a few months earlier. She went into a coma and died three days later, leaving her children as orphans.

“In a related development, Regina Mgbeke, also known as Mama Otonwamgbeke, a widow, reportedly became partially paralysed after being rendered homeless by Umahi’s alleged orders and actions of his agents. She later died, leaving her children orphaned.

“Similarly, Mazi Amadi Onu, aged 81, allegedly suffered dehumanising experiences following the demolition of his ancestral home and economic trees and the excavation of the tombs of his forebears. This act, described as an affront to ancestral heritage and tradition, reportedly left him blind and bedridden until his death.

“In another incident, Umahi allegedly ordered his boys and thugs to assault one Paul Eze, a vibrant youth of about 33 years, for stopping the demolition of Osuji Samuel Anike’s compound. Paul was allegedly beaten until he became weak, after which the compound was demolished. He reportedly fell ill and later died.”

Efforts to reach Senator Umahi were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report on Monday.

However, his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Uchenna Orji, dismissed the allegations as baseless and frivolous.
According to him, Umahi has moved beyond local politics and has contributed significantly to the development of the area and beyond.

He said: “These allegations are tainted with falsehood, absolutely irresponsible, and without cultural or legal foundation. They are senseless and far removed from reality.

“The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, cannot be dragged into the antics of local troublemakers who seek to tarnish the image of a leader who has brought psychological peace and socio-economic development not only to Uburu but to the entire Ebonyi State.

“What they are alleging does not exist. These claims should be disregarded as the idle orchestration of ungrateful people.”