By Achile Danjuma
A Nigerian businesswoman, Tracy Nicolas Ohiri, has publicly accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of a 12-year debt, unlawful detention, and orchestrating police harassment after she allegedly rejected his romantic advances.
The dramatic allegations were made on Thursday, shortly after Ohiri was brought before a Magistrate Court in the Wuse 6 district of Abuja. Reports indicate that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was seeking a court order to remand her in prison custody.
In a highly emotional address to journalists following her court appearance, a visibly distressed Ohiri detailed her ordeal, directly confronting the minister.
“Yes, David Umahi, pay me my money,” she declared. “I supplied goods to you, directly to you at your house in Abakaliki. You are using the police to oppress me because you asked to date me and I said no.”
Ohiri claims the debt stems from a business transaction dating back over a decade. She stated that she first met Umahi years ago when he was a private businessman and later the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
According to her account, she was invited to Ebonyi State by an associate of the minister to showcase her corporate gift business. The relationship took a business turn when Umahi, then preparing for a gubernatorial campaign, allegedly requested a large supply of promotional gift items.
“One morning, around 5 a.m., he woke me up and told me he was going to contest for governor and would need me to produce promotional items for his campaign,” Ohiri narrated.
She submitted a quotation and requested mobilization funds but claims she was asked to proceed without any upfront payment. Trusting his word, Ohiri alleges she financed the production by borrowing money and using funds meant for her children’s school fees.
“I had to carry my children’s school fees, gather money, and borrow from individuals to produce these gift items,” she said.
Ohiri further alleges that after production, she personally covered the cost of hiring a truck and transporting the goods to Ebonyi State, where they were delivered directly to Umahi’s residence in Abakaliki. She claims the payment for these goods, supplied before Umahi became a minister, has been outstanding for 12 years.
The situation escalated recently when Ohiri took to social media to demand her payment. She alleges that in response, senior police officers were deployed to arrest and detain her.
She specifically named ACP Akin Fakorede and ACP Frank Mba as being involved in orchestrating her arrest. Ohiri claimed that in the cell where she was held, she encountered four men from Ebonyi State who, she was told, had been transferred on the minister’s instruction.
“The only police officer that has been nice to me since I came to Abuja is one Maya, Iliya, and one Mr. Ali. The rest are so wicked and mean,” she alleged, adding that her Investigating Police Officer (IPO) was constantly in communication with the minister and his aide.
“He will be asking her different questions, if I’m weak, if I’m broken. I can never be broken, David. You will pay me my money,” she stated defiantly.
Ohiri portrayed herself as a hardworking woman being victimized for demanding what is rightfully hers. She has called on the public and “all right-thinking men and women, God-fearing men and women all over the world to stand up for justice.”
She is demanding full payment for the goods supplied, with interest, citing the 12-year delay.
“What did I do wrong by working for you without mobilization?” she asked. “I am only a woman working hard legally to feed her children and her family.”
As of the time of this report, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has not issued an official response to the specific allegations made by Tracy Ohiri. The Nigeria Police Force has also yet to comment on the accusations of misconduct and unlawful detention leveled against its senior officers.
The case raises serious questions about the use of state security apparatus in private disputes and adds to a growing list of allegations against public officials. The matter is now before a magistrate court, and further legal proceedings are expected to shed more light on the claims and counterclaims.