Ohiri had alleged that Umahi owed her ₦280 million for campaign materials when he served as party chairman, sharing the claim widely on social media, where it went viral. She also accused Umahi of sexual harassment in the same video.

Following her allegations, Ohiri was arrested by security agencies and prosecuted. Her lawyer, Barrister Marshall Abubakar, intervened, prompting her to delete the posts and publicly retract her claims with an apology that also went viral.

Despite this, Ohiri later resumed her accusations.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaz, Umahi said he had informed Barrister Abubakar during his intervention that if Ohiri could provide complete evidence—including logs and communications from the relevant period—some of his friends and associates were ready to contribute ₦1 billion to settle her claims. To date, she has not been able to provide such evidence.

Umahi emphasized that he is still awaiting credible proof and has directed his legal team to pursue all necessary court actions to ensure the truth is established.

The statement clarified Barrister Abubakar’s role:

• He acted in good faith, seeking to help Ohiri amicably, without discussing or negotiating any payment.
• Some associates independently offered assistance, but no money came from the Minister.
• Umahi had set clear conditions: the matter must be either verified in court or supported by verifiable evidence from Ohiri.

Umahi noted that he had remained silent for years despite repeated provocations to focus on public service. He expressed gratitude to Nigerians for evaluating the facts and understanding that not all who claim victimhood are genuine, and that some narratives are deliberately twisted.

The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to his mandate, stating:

“The focus remains on results, service, and ensuring that Nigerians continue to benefit from projects that improve connectivity, economic growth, and national development. This administration will continue to pursue its transformation agenda with dedication, transparency, and an unwavering sense of responsibility.”