A combined photo of TracyNither Nicolas Ohiri and David Umahi
By Victory Oghene
A married businesswoman, TracyNither Nicolas Ohiri has alleged that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, held on to her money becuse she turned down his request to date him.
Mrs. Ohiri accused Umahi, of sexual harassment, intimidation, detention and refusal to pay for campaign promotional materials she claims to have supplied.
In a video seen by NATIONAL WAVES, Ohiri alleged that her business dealings with the minister date back to the period preceding his election as Governor of Ebonyi State.
She said she was contracted to produce corporate gift items for campaign purposes after making several presentations and submitting quotations.
According to her, despite requests for mobilisation funds, she was encouraged to proceed with production. She alleged that she financed the project through personal savings and loans, including funds meant for her children’s school fees.
Ohiri further claimed that during one of her visits to Ebonyi for business discussions, Umahi entered her hotel room wearing only a towel and made advances toward her, which she refused and ran to another room where she spent the night.
She said the items were later delivered to the minister’s residence in the presence of his family and staff after being transported by truck at her expense. However, she claimed she was neither reimbursed for logistics nor paid for the goods supplied.
Ohiri alleged that after waiting for one year and eight months following the election period, she began demanding payment of the initial N25.4 million debt, which she claims has since accumulated to N250 million with interest.
She further alleged that whenever she demanded payment, the minister made repeated personal advances toward her, which she rejected.
“I told him to focus on paying me my money and stop asking me out,” she said, alleging that this led to hostility and threatening messages.
She alleged that following a social media outcry over the matter after the death of her father, whom she said she had hoped to send abroad for medical treatment security operatives arrested her at her residence and transported her to Abuja.
She narrated that Umahi denied ever meeting her during a police interaction. She claimed she presented photographs and other materials to counter the denial.
Ohiri was arraigned by the police before a magistrate court at the Wise zone 2 Abuja.
Human rights activists led by Omoyele Sowore besieged the court in solidarity with the businesswoman as they insist on getting justice for her.
Meanwhile, Umahi has denied instructing police officers to target Ohiri over the dispute concerning campaign payments.
Describing her claims as inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking clarity, Umahi noted that members of the public who have followed the matter have similarly questioned the credibility of her account.
The woman was arrested in Lagos on allegations of “cyberbullying,” flown to Abuja, and detained.
Recall that Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday, confronted the Minister of Works, David Umahi at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command over alleged abuse of power.
The activist who weighed into an issue involving the Minister and a woman identified as TracyNither Nicolas Ohiri, asked the Minister why he was allegedly using the police to settle personal scores.
Sowore’s action angered the minister’s aides, who engaged him in a shouting match.
“Don’t talk to me like that! I am discussing with a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he was heard shouting on top of his voice.
Another aide quickly moved in and shoved the activist aside, but he protested saying, “Don’t push me!”
Umahi, who initially exchanged handshakes with Sowore, later changed his countenance muttering words that were inaudible.
Sowore, who posted a video of the incident, captioned it: “Today at the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, I confronted the Minister of Works, David Umahi, inside a conference room where police operatives had effectively set up shop for him to harass a woman who had accused him of owing her and making a pass at her years ago.
“A married woman, TracyNither Nicolas Ohiri had been illegally arrested in Lagos on allegations of “cyberbullying,” flown to Abuja, and detained. Her alleged offense was accusing David Umahi of owing her N250 million for over 12 years, a claim that, at its core, is a civil dispute.
“Rather than treat the matter as such, the police escalated it into a criminal spectacle. After unlawfully detaining her, the police facilitated a meeting in which Umahi was brought into the command to threaten, intimidate, and denigrate her inside a police facility until we arrived, and they immediately dismantled the “interview,” and Umahi left angrily. After Umahi left, they refused to grant her bail or release her. We later learnt Umahi promised that she’s not seen anything yet…”
Watch video below
