A businesswoman’s allegations of harassment and an unpaid debt against Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, have sparked public debate and a defamation lawsuit. Tracynither Nicolas Ohiri, a married corporate gifts supplier, claims the minister made unwanted advances and owes her N250 million for services rendered during his 2014 Ebonyi State governorship campaign. Umahi has categorically denied all accusations.
According to statements provided by Ohiri to reporters in Abuja, her professional interactions with Umahi, then deputy governor, escalated over three years. She detailed how he invited her to his state on multiple occasions and later requested promotional items for his governorship campaign. Ohiri stated Umahi promised payment but repeatedly asked her to date him instead. She recounted a specific incident where, during one visit, Umahi entered her hotel room wearing only a towel around his waist, forcing her to flee to a staff member’s locked room for the night. Ohiri said she eventually blocked Umahi after he threatened to “teach her a lesson” following her insistence on payment.
The minister’s legal team has moved to counter the claims. Following a three-day police detention, Ohiri was formally charged with defamation at an Abuja Magistrate Court. The Nigeria Police filed the suit, asserting the allegations against Umahi are false and damaging to his reputation. Umahi’s representatives have consistently dismissed the matter as a fabricated smear campaign linked to the outstanding contractual debt.
The controversy drew commentary from former presidential aide Reuben Abati during an Arise News broadcast. Abati questioned Ohiri’s conduct, stating, “As a married woman, what are you doing in a hotel room with Umahi tying a towel?” He advised that contractual disputes should be settled in court rather than through public dramatization, which he suggested could constitute contempt of court.
The case has ignited discussions on social media about power dynamics, professional boundaries, and the handling of financial disputes in Nigerian public life. Legal proceedings for Ohiri’s defamation charge are ongoing. The Ministry of Works has yet to issue a further detailed response beyond the minister’s initial denial. The matter now hinges on the judicial process, with both parties anticipated to present their evidence in court. The episode underscores the intersection of personal allegations, business dealings, and political influence in Nigeria’s public sphere.
