Women Groups Back Works Minister, Insist Allegations Must Be Proven in Court
Naija News • 2h ago
**Women's Groups Rally Behind Works Minister, Urge Nigerians to Let the Law Decide**
In a joint press conference held in Abuja last Sunday, four prominent women-led advocacy groups came out in defence of the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, amidst allegations of a ₦24.5 million transaction. The groups, comprising Women Advocates for Responsible Governance (WARG), Women for Justice and Institutional Integrity (WJII), Coalition of Patriotic Nigerian Women (CPNW), and National Women Alliance for Rule of Law (NWARL), condemned the unverified claims and called for strict adherence to due process.
According to the groups, the allegations lack concrete evidence and are merely emotional narratives aimed at destabilizing governance without proof. They pointed out that a transaction of such magnitude would normally leave behind a trail of written contracts, invoices, and financial records, which are nowhere to be found. Dr. Amina Yusuf, National President of WARG, noted that governance is not a theatre, and Nigerians should not be swayed by sensational approaches.
The groups also questioned why, if the claim was genuine, there had been no documented effort at civil recovery or legal action in the immediate years following the alleged transaction. Executive Director of WJII, Hajia Halimat Bello, emphasized that institutional credibility rests on proof and process, and that a transaction of ₦24.5 million cannot exist without documentation.
From a national interest perspective, Mrs. Folake Adeyemi of CPNW described the allegation as inconsistent with established commercial practice. She noted that if the alleged debt recovery was genuine, the appropriate legal remedies would have been pursued long ago. Adeyemi cautioned that distractions rooted in unproven claims could undermine focus at a time when critical infrastructure projects are ongoing under the supervision of the Works Ministry.
Dr. Grace Onuoha of NWARL drew attention to the constitutional principle of the rule of law, which requires that all allegations be proven in a court of law before any action can be taken. The groups urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the courts to determine the facts of the case.
In conclusion, the women's groups have called on Nigerians to let the law decide the fate of the allegations against the Minister of Works. As Nigerians, we must remain vigilant and ensure that our governance processes are not undermined by unverified claims. By upholding the principles of due process and the rule of law, we can build a more just