Show Evidence, Win ₦1B – Umahi Takes Legal Steps Against Tracy Ohiri

According to Ireporter Online, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against businesswoman Tracy Ohiri over renewed claims of a ₦250 million debt for promotional and printing services rendered during his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State.

The dispute between Umahi and Ohiri has been ongoing for years. Ohiri previously accused the Minister of sexual harassment and failing to settle campaign-related debts. She claimed that her repeated requests for payment were met with alleged inappropriate advances, which she rejected, escalating the situation to threats and police involvement.

Ohiri was arrested in Lagos on cyberbullying allegations linked to her social media posts about the dispute and later transferred to Abuja, where she was detained at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. She was subsequently arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Wuse, Abuja, on defamation charges and granted bail.

After a viral video apology facilitated by her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, Ohiri deleted her posts and withdrew her allegations against the Minister. However, she later stated in a separate video that her retraction had been made under pressure from Abubakar and that compensation allegedly promised by Umahi had not been received.

In response, Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaz, said the Minister offered Ohiri the opportunity to provide verifiable evidence of her claims in exchange for ₦1 billion. Nwaz clarified that Abubakar did not negotiate any payment and that any offers from associates were independent of the Minister.

Umahi has instructed his legal team to pursue all court processes to ensure the truth is established if Ohiri fails to provide credible evidence. Nwaz emphasized that the Minister had previously exercised restraint, focusing on public service despite provocations, but recent developments necessitated formal action.

The statement stressed that the resolution conditions were clear: either the matter is settled in court or Ohiri provides complete, verifiable evidence, including communications from the period in question. Umahi’s team reaffirmed that Abubakar acted in good faith and without personal gain throughout the process.