The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has engaged his lawyers for legal action against the female, Lagos-based businesswoman, Tracy Ohiri, after her renewed allegations regarding a ₦250 million debt and sexual harassment claims dating back to his 2015 Ebonyi State governorship campaign.
The long-standing dispute recently escalated after Ohiri released a new video clip in which she alleged that her previous public apology to the Minister was coerced and made under false pretences.
“The Minister has directed his legal team to commence a defamation suit against Ms. Ohiri for these persistent and baseless lies,” a source close to the Ministry stated.
This development effectively means a 100% breakdown in previous mediation efforts and signals a long, drawn-out, unending public spat over their alleged relationship.
The Controversy Of The Coerced Apology
Ohiri was previously arrested in Lagos on charges of cyberbullying and later arraigned in a Wuse Magistrate Court for defamation.
Following her release on bail, she appeared in a viral video withdrawing her claims and apologizing to Umahi.
However, she now alleges that her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, pressured her into that retraction.
She further alleged that the Minister promised compensation in exchange for the video but failed to pay once it was released.
The Minister’s camp has denied any such agreement. Instead, they insist that the apology was a voluntary condition for her legal relief at the time.
Minister Offers ₦1 Billion For Evidence
In a countermove, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Francis Nwaze, issued a statement on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
He challenged Ohiri to prove her ₦250 million debt claim with verifiable documents.
“If she can provide any receipt, contract, or proof of services rendered for ₦250 million, the Minister will pay her ₦1 billion in return,” Nwaze said.
He added that the Minister will no longer tolerate “character assassination” through social media.
This matter involves a high-ranking public official and highlights the legal risks of social media advocacy.
For our readers, this could teach the importance of keeping formal records in business transactions, even if contracted under informal settings, to avoid years of litigation and potential loss.
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