Mrs Tracy Ohiri, a businesswoman, has made allegations against Minister of Works, David Umahi, claiming he owes her N250 million. She alleged that human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar, who represented her in the case, pressured her into withdrawing the claims after assuring her that the minister had agreed to pay the money.
However, the promised compensation never materialised, and Mrs Ohiri claimed she had not received any payment before releasing a video making the allegations.
Responding to the claims, Minister Umahi defended Mr Abubakar's role, saying he acted in good faith and was driven by a desire to assist Mrs Ohiri and resolve the matter amicably.
Mr Umahi stated that he had not discussed or negotiated payment of any money to Mrs Ohiri and that associates and well-meaning individuals approached Mr Abubakar independently to help her.
He outlined two conditions for resolving the dispute: either the matter should be determined in court or Mrs Ohiri should present verifiable evidence to support her claims.
As Mrs Ohiri had failed to provide credible and verifiable evidence, Minister Umahi directed his legal team to proceed with the necessary action.
Minister David Umahi's response to allegations made by businesswoman Tracy Ohiri raises questions about the integrity of human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar. Umahi's statement suggests that Abubakar was acting independently, but this does not explain why Ohiri was led to believe that the minister had agreed to pay her the N250 million. The fact that Umahi is now proceeding with court action against Ohiri raises concerns about the minister's commitment to resolving disputes amicably. This development may have serious implications for everyday Nigerians, who may be affected by the ongoing court processes. Umahi's emphasis on the need for verifiable evidence to support claims is a reasonable one, but it is unclear why Ohiri was not provided with this evidence in the first place. The minister's statement also highlights the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before making allegations. Ultimately, the truth behind Ohiri's allegations and Umahi's response will be revealed in the court of law. Until then, Nigerians are left to wonder about the motives and actions of those involved in this dispute.
