Businesswoman Alleges Coercion in Retracted Claims Against Minister Umahi
A businesswoman, Tracyniter (Tracy) Nicholas Ohiri, who previously accused Minister of Works, David Umahi, of sexual harassment and unpaid campaign debts, has claimed she was pressured into retracting her allegations and promised payment that was never delivered.
In a new video, Ohiri said lawyer Marshal Abubakar forced her to record the retraction, claiming Umahi had agreed to compensate her.
She alleged the promised payment was not made before the video was released.
“Marshal, you gave me a script… you forced me to do this video,” Ohiri said. “You said the person told you he was willing to pay me and compensate me for even arresting me and body-shaming me in public… You told me that I will receive my payment before you release the video.”
Ohiri demanded to know why the footage went public before she received any money and accused Abubakar of threatening her and preventing her from speaking to others about the matter.
She called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate the lawyer’s conduct and also shared secretly recorded phone conversations with him.
Ohiri had previously claimed Umahi owed her about N250 million for promotional and printing services during his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi state.
She alleged that when she rejected advances from the minister, the situation escalated, resulting in threats and police action against her.
She was arrested in Lagos over alleged cyberbullying linked to her social media posts about the dispute and transferred to Abuja, where she was detained at the FCT police command.
She was later arraigned on a defamation charge and granted bail.
The case drew attention after activist Omoyele Sowore confronted Umahi at the police headquarters, criticising the criminalisation of a civil dispute.
Meanwhile Abubakar has denied coercing Ohiri or withholding payment, describing her claims as false.
He said he helped mobilise support during her arrest and facilitated her bail.
According to him, Umahi maintained he was not indebted to Ohiri and would only pay if a court established a contract existed.
He added that a third party provided $70,000, not as compensation or admission of liability, but to facilitate peace.
Abubakar accused Ohiri of later demanding a higher sum and said he is considering legal action over her allegations.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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