Veteran actress Patience Ozokwor has denied accusations of land grabbing from a widow, stating she legally purchased the property in 2010 and is now pursuing legal redress

Patience Ozokwor land dispute has stirred online debate following a viral video in which a widow accused the veteran Nollywood actress of forcefully taking over land allegedly left by her late husband.

Also read: Patience Ozokwor reflects on stardom, her unexpected journey into nollywood

In the emotional video, the widow claimed that Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, unlawfully seized the property without consent, prompting widespread criticism from members of the public and social media users.

However, the actress has firmly denied the allegations. In a statement released via her official social media channels, Ozokwor stated that she legally acquired the land in 2010, some 15 years ago, after being approached by the widow herself through an agent.

“Fast forward to last year, 14 years later, the previous owner decided it was a great idea to sell a plot out of my land without my knowledge,” Ozokwor wrote.

She added that upon learning of the unauthorised attempt to resell part of the property, she fenced the land to protect her investment—only to face what she describes as a public blackmail campaign.

“This is blackmail, fraud and malicious intent,” the actress declared, accusing the widow and her daughter of spreading false claims in a bid to gain public sympathy and financial assistance.

Ozokwor explained that the situation has now escalated to defamation, forcing her to take legal steps. She noted that while social media can stir sentiment, “it is not a court,” and affirmed her decision to seek justice through formal legal proceedings.

“I am pursuing legal means to vindicate my name because it took years to build,” she said, hinting at lawsuits against blogs and platforms that published the story without verifying the facts.

She ended her statement with a stern warning to those amplifying the allegations:
“Bloggers who joined in defamation without verifying the facts should get ready to meet me in court.”

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around land ownership and documentation in Nigeria, where informal agreements and delayed disputes often trigger bitter legal battles. As of now, no official legal counterclaim has been filed by the widow or her representatives.