Ohiri made the allegations on Thursday while speaking to journalists in Abuja, stating that her business dealings with Umahi date back to before his election as Governor of Ebonyi State. She said she was contracted to produce corporate gift items for his campaign after submitting multiple presentations and quotations.

According to her, she was encouraged to proceed with production despite repeated requests for mobilisation funds, financing the project with personal savings and loans, including money set aside for her children’s school fees.

She alleged that during a business trip to Ebonyi, Umahi entered her hotel room inappropriately dressed and made advances toward her. “He tied a towel around his waist and came into my room, disturbing me,” she said, adding that she fled to a staff member’s room and spent the night there.

Ohiri claimed that the campaign items were delivered to the minister’s residence at her expense, but she was neither reimbursed for logistics nor paid for the goods. After waiting for one year and eight months post-election, she said the initial ₦25.4 million debt had grown to ₦304 million with interest.

She alleged that each time she demanded payment, Umahi made personal advances, which she rejected. “I told him to focus on paying me my money and stop asking me out,” she said, claiming her refusal led to hostility and threats.

Ohiri said that after threatening to stage a protest at the Government House over the unpaid debt, she received warnings against proceeding. She added that following a social media outcry, especially after her father’s death, security operatives arrested her at her home and transported her to Abuja. She claimed that during a police interaction, Umahi denied ever meeting her, which she countered with photographs and other evidence.

She is currently being arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Zone 2, Abuja, following a confrontation between Umahi and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the FCT Police Command on February 25, 2026. Sowore and other activists have besieged the court in solidarity, demanding justice.

Umahi Denies Allegations

Meanwhile, Umahi has denied directing police to target Ohiri over the campaign payment dispute. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister described Ohiri’s claims as inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking clarity.

He said the police acted on a petition submitted by his lawyer, strictly within their constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and investigate complaints. Umahi’s office added that the arrest and subsequent invitation for statements were conducted in line with standard legal procedures.

The statement read:

“The Media Office of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, notes a video circulated by Omoyele Sowore attempting to publicly confront the Minister over a matter already before the authorities.

“The allegations by Mrs. Tracy Ohiri, which relate to alleged assault and unpaid campaign materials, have been publicly available since last year and have been repeatedly circulated online. Her accounts have been inconsistent, contradictory, and lacked coherence, a fact widely observed by the public.

“Contrary to the narrative pushed by Sowore, the Minister did not deploy police to settle a personal score. The Nigeria Police Force, acting within its mandate, responded to a petition from the Minister’s lawyer, arrested Mrs. Ohiri, and invited the Minister for statements according to standard procedure.

“Mr. Sowore’s public spectacle is performative activism aimed at attention rather than truth. The Minister, consistent with his respect for due process, declined to engage theatrically. The matter is under police investigation, and the facts will determine the outcome.”