Revealed: The Truth About Achalla Land Investment and the Fake Barrister, Uju Ezeobi

By Sunshine Iwunna

Anambra State—The Founder of the United Business Women Association (UBWA), Chief Ambassador Nkiruka Duru, has strongly refuted allegations linking her to a multi-million naira land fraud, dismissing the claims as baseless fabrications aimed at tarnishing her reputation.

Speaking at a press conference at UBWA’s Secretariat in Onitsha, Duru recounted how her efforts to empower widows and women across Nigeria were sabotaged by the late Uju Ezeobi, a woman who falsely posed as a legal practitioner. According to Duru, Ezeobi played a key role in mismanaging UBWA’s land investment in Achalla, Awka North LGA, leading to financial losses and legal disputes.

Duru explained that UBWA was founded in February 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, to support widows and underprivileged women. By 2021, she expanded her vision to include land acquisition for UBWA members, intending to establish a communal estate.

She recounted how she engaged a supposed land agent, Mr. Okechukwu Okoye, to purchase 2,000 plots of land in Achalla. Upon consulting Ezeobi, who was then presented as UBWA’s legal adviser, she was assured the transaction was legitimate. However, after UBWA had paid over ₦101 million, it was discovered that Okoye had not remitted the funds to the landowners, leaving the women’s association without legal ownership.

As UBWA struggled to reclaim its investment, Duru said she fell seriously ill and delegated land sales and documentation to Uju Ezeobi and UBWA’s Secretary, Mrs. Chinwe Ekunie. However, Ezeobi allegedly took advantage of this situation, making unauthorized changes to financial and legal documents.

“She removed my name and that of my son as signatories to the land documents and added herself as a co-signatory to the Sonia Global bank account, where payments were made,” Duru revealed. “She also inflated land prices and diverted funds for personal gain, buying a house in Asaba and two vehicles.”

Despite being confronted multiple times, Ezeobi allegedly refused to provide an account of the funds. Legal battles ensued, with police invitations, court cases, and blocked bank accounts adding to the controversy.

As tensions escalated, Uju Ezeobi filed lawsuits against Duru, claiming personal ownership of the Achalla land. However, as the legal matters unfolded, Ezeobi passed away, prompting speculation about the circumstances of her death.

Addressing these rumors, Zone 13 Ukpo Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Inuwo, clarified that Ezeobi was granted bail and did not die in police custody.

Duru emphasized that she has remained transparent and has taken legal steps to recover UBWA’s lost funds. She called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice prevails and that those responsible for defrauding UBWA members are held accountable.

As the dust settles on this complex case, many UBWA members await a resolution, hoping that their investments and trust in the organization will be restored.