A widow, Mrs. Ann Nnabuife-Onyewuchi, has raised a desperate alarm over alleged threats to her life and that of her two young children, accusing individuals she described as her late husband’s “powerful relatives” of orchestrating a sustained campaign to dispossess her of all she owns.
Mrs. Nnabuife, wife of a United States-based Nigerian, the late Mr. Emmanuel Onwuasoeze Nnabuife of Umunam Nta village in Umunam Atta Autonomous Community, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, told newsmen that since her husband’s death in 2023, she has faced intimidation, violence, and repeated attempts to force her out of her matrimonial home and properties.
She specifically accused one Chief Romanus Ezike and his siblings: Geoffrey Ezike, Joy Ezike, Beauty Ezike, as well as Benny Nnabuife and Ekene Nnabuife of allegedly acting in collaboration with her late husband’s former wife, Callister Uche Nnabuife, of leading the campaign against her.
Narrating her ordeal, the visibly distressed widow said her troubles began while her husband was hospitalised in Owerri, Imo State, before he travelled to the United States, where he reportedly remained in a coma for three months before his eventual death.
“Even while my husband was still in the hospital here, they started trying to take over his property and treating me like I didn’t exist. As a matter of fact, they are now calling me a tenant in my own house, saying that I am owing them two years rent. The people I’m talking about are my late husband’s cousins from a different community,” she said.
According to her, the alleged harassment escalated shortly after his death, with the accused persons allegedly instituting multiple court cases against her in different courts, claiming she was merely a concubine despite her legally recognised marriage.
“They filed about four different cases in different courts, all claiming I was not his wife,” she stated, insisting that their marriage was formally consummated at a registry in 2019 after traditional rites in 2017.
Mrs. Nnabuife, who is a senior civil servant in Imo State, further alleged that she was locked out of her husband’s family house in the village after all the locks were changed without her consent.
“I went to the village because I needed documents for my promotion exam, only to discover that the gates had been locked and the keys changed. When I eventually gained access with the help of a lawyer, I saw that my clothes, jewellery and other personal belongings had been burnt inside the compound,” she recounted.
Recounting a series of frightening encounters, the widow alleged that attempts on her life have become increasingly brazen.
“They have made several efforts to get at my life. On July 14, 2024, some policemen came to my house, but when they didn’t find me, they arrested my four-year-old twins and detained them at the police station for 12 hours. It was only when I returned in the evening and began searching for them that I was able to locate and secure their release later that night,” she said.
She further disclosed that on June 6, 2025, unidentified men, some of whom were armed, again came looking for her under suspicious circumstances.
“This time, they came with armed men who were not in police uniform or anything that could identify them as legitimate officers. When we asked which police unit they came from so I could report, they refused to disclose their identity. That was when I became convinced that they were after my life,” she added.
Describing the most recent incident, she said the events of April 17, 2026, left her deeply shaken.
“The one that happened on April 17, 2026, really shook me because I never imagined it would escalate to this level,” she lamented.
In what she described as the most frightening incident yet, the widow alleged that unknown persons, accompanied by individuals dressed in police uniforms, stormed her residence in Owerri and forcefully evicted her relatives and tenants using what she termed a “fake court order.”
The widow, who was seen outside the compound with her two little children and belongings, said, “They came with thugs and fake policemen. They threw all my belongings out into the street and drove out my sick elder sister and a tenant. By the time I was informed, everything I had was already outside on the street.”
She added that when she reported the matter to the police in Ogbaku, the division allegedly denied deploying any officers for such an operation, raising further concerns about impersonation and abuse of authority.
Mrs. Nnabuife also dismissed claims that the property in dispute belonged to her late husband’s extended family, maintaining that the Owerri residence was built in her name with her personal contributions as a senior education official.
“This is a property built in my name. My husband acknowledged my contributions and ensured the land was registered in my name. Those pursuing me know nothing about our arrangement,” she said.
She expressed fear that the alleged actions against her were not only aimed at dispossessing her but could escalate to physical harm.
“I am calling on the Imo State Government and the police authorities to save me and my children. I fear they may kill us,” she cried.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, corroborated her claims, alleging that the widow had endured sustained humiliation and threats.
“The woman has suffered greatly. Those behind this are determined to take everything from her, and there are fears for her life and that of her children,” the source said.
The source further insisted that Mrs. Nnabuife’s marriage to the deceased was legitimate and widely witnessed by members of both families and community leaders, including the traditional ruler of Umunam Atta Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Uchenna Nwaka, and his counterpart from Amucha community.
He described as “ironic” the involvement of individuals who allegedly encouraged the marriage in the first place but are now leading efforts to displace her.
“They are even forging documents to evict her. This is injustice of the highest order,” he added.
As tensions rise, concerned observers are calling on security agencies and the Imo State Government to urgently investigate the allegations, ensure the safety of the widow and her children, and prevent what many fear could turn into a tragic case of violence and unlawful dispossession.
