Three other persons, including Ubana’s uncle, her nine-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old niece, were reportedly present during the incident.
By TheInvestigator
A Calabar businesswoman, Ayei Eyong Ubana, has been hospitalised after she was allegedly beaten unconscious by her former partner, Okongor James, a retired driver reportedly still engaged by Honourable Member, Yakurr 1 State Constituency, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Cyril Omini, a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Ubana alleged that James attacked her in the early hours of July 26, 2026, at her residence at No. 7 Gregory Effiong Street, Ikot Ansa, Calabar Municipality, following the breakdown of their relationship of more than five years.
According to Ubana, James arrived at the residence around midnight and an argument ensued before he allegedly assaulted her. She said the attack became so severe that she was hit on the head and lost consciousness.
She reportedly regained consciousness after 6 a.m. while receiving treatment at Joemede Pharmaceuticals.
The businesswoman sustained bruises to her face and continues to experience significant pain. She also claimed that she has been unable to speak properly since the incident.
Ubana further alleged that personal belongings were disposed of during the incident, including wrappers, trousers and about N500,000 in cash. She put the estimated value of the properties allegedly lost at approximately N2 million.
Three other persons, including Ubana’s uncle, her nine-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old niece, were reportedly present during the incident.
Ubana said the alleged assault was not the first physical confrontation between them, claiming that James had previously slapped her during disagreements. However, she said the July 26 incident was considerably more serious.
Following the alleged assault, James was reportedly arrested on July 28 and subsequently granted bail by the Zone 6 Police Command.
The case has drawn attention partly because of James’s reported connection to Hon Cyril Omini of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Relatively, an activist, MC Okrika had accused Hon Cyril of allegedly ordering the abduction and assault of a young woman in Calabar.
The activist made the allegations in a viral video in which he appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene, while expressing disappointment with the Nigerian Police Force and the Cross River State Police Command.
According to him, the incident began after the woman allegedly made an anonymous social media post concerning people from Yakurr, claiming that some young women from the area were involved in “hook-up” activities in Calabar.
The activist said he contacted the lawmaker, who allegedly accused him of engaging in “blackmail activism” after he raised the matter.
He further alleged that the lawmaker subsequently published a post offering ₦5 million to anyone who could identify or produce the woman.
The activist claimed that the woman was later allegedly taken from her residence by men he described as “kidnappers” and subjected to physical assault before being taken to the lawmaker’s residence rather than a police station.
He also alleged that the woman was assaulted at the residence and subsequently handed over to the police.
The activist said the woman remained in police detention at the time of his video, and questioned why a person accused of defamation would allegedly be taken into private custody rather than being reported to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
“I am far more embarrassed in Hon Cyril. This is a man I hold in a very high esteem,” the activist said, alleging that the lawmaker took advantage of the woman because of her poor background.
He also accused the lawmaker of using his alleged influence within the police to have the woman detained after the purported assault.
