Community accuses Umahi of land grabbing, aide kicks

Umahi

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

They also claimed that Umahi’s high-handedness and undue meddling in the affairs of the Umuchima community have occasioned the deaths of many natives of the area, calling civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to intervene.

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

The document, dated December 21, 2025, a copy of which was sighted by our Correspondent on Monday read, “A hilarious period suddenly turns to darkest period for Ndi-Umuchima in Uburu,Oha-ozara LGA in Ebonyi State. On assuming office as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2015, expectations and hopes were so 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 community. Suddenly, this hilarious atmosphere becomes sour the moment Senator Umahi the then Executive Governor of Ebonyi State started taking measures that disrespects and relegates Ndi-Umuchima to the background.

“First, Umahi hides under the guise of State and Federal governments, and forcefully evicted natives of Umuchima Community from the ancestral homes/farmlands. These nefarious actions were not carried out without intimidation, harassment and bullying from his armed hooligans and thugs

Most pathetically, the desecration of our customs/traditions, demolition of our ancestral homes/farmlands and annexation of same led to deaths our kinsmen/women.

“For instance, Mrs Elizabeth Offora (known as Nwunye Offora) whose homes and economic trees were being demolished on seeing excavator exhuming the decomposing dead body of her husband who was buried few months ago slumped, went into a coma and died three days later. Such unbecoming sight triggered chemical reactions in the widow and she died leaving their children orphans. “In a related development, Regina Mgbeke (Mama Otonwamgbeke) also a widow suddenly became half paralyzed after she was impoverished and rendered homeless by Umahi’s orders as well as agents and she later died leaving their children orphans.”