Minister of Works, David Umahi, has instructed his legal team to pursue all necessary court actions against Tracy Ohiri following her continued public claims of indebtedness.
Ohiri had previously alleged that Umahi owed her N280 million for campaign materials during his tenure as party chairman and shared the claim widely on social media. She also accused the minister of sexual harassment, leading to her arrest and prosecution over the allegations. Subsequently, through the intervention of her lawyer, Barrister Marshall Abubakar, Ohiri deleted her posts and issued a public apology, which went viral.
Despite this, Ohiri resumed her claims days later. In response, Umahi, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaz, stated that he had already asked Barrister Abubakar to verify any evidence before considering payment. He added that some of his friends and associates were even willing to contribute up to One Billion Naira (N1b) if credible proof was provided—an offer Ohiri has yet to meet.
“The Minister emphasized that either the matter should be settled in court or substantiated with verifiable evidence, including all relevant communications,” the statement said. “Failure to meet these conditions has prompted the Minister to direct his legal team to pursue all judicial avenues to establish the truth.”
Umahi acknowledged that Barrister Abubakar acted in good faith throughout the process and did not negotiate or request any payment from the minister. He praised the lawyer’s integrity while stressing that the Minister’s restraint over the years was deliberate, focusing on public service rather than personal disputes.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to his role, assuring Nigerians that he would not be distracted by Ohiri’s repeated allegations. “The focus remains on delivering results, advancing national projects, and ensuring continued economic growth and connectivity,” he said.
Umahi also expressed gratitude to the public for critically examining the matter and recognizing that not all claims presented as victimhood are legitimate. He affirmed that his administration would continue its transformation agenda with transparency, dedication, and accountability, while allowing the judicial system to determine the validity of Ohiri’s claims.
The Minister’s statement makes it clear that legal proceedings against Ohiri are now fully underway as he seeks to protect his reputation and ensure the truth prevails.
