A businesswoman, Mrs. Tracyniter Nicholas Ohiri, has publicly accused the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, of sexual harassment, intimidation, and failure to pay for campaign promotional materials she claims to have supplied.
Speaking in Abuja, Ohiri alleged that her business relationship with the minister began before his election as Governor of Ebonyi State.
According to her, she was contracted to produce corporate gift items for campaign purposes after submitting presentations and quotations.
She said that although she requested mobilisation funds to commence production, she was encouraged to proceed without upfront payment.
Ohiri claimed she financed the project using her personal savings and loans, including funds set aside for her children’s school fees.
The businesswoman further alleged that during a trip to Ebonyi for discussions related to the contract, Umahi entered her hotel room wearing only a towel and made advances toward her.
She said she rejected the alleged advances and fled to a staff member’s room, where she spent the night.
Ohiri stated that the finished items were later delivered to the minister’s residence at her own expense, but she was neither reimbursed for logistics nor paid for the goods supplied.
After waiting one year and eight months, she said she began demanding payment of the initial N25.4 million debt, which she claims has since risen to N304 million with accrued interest.
She further alleged that her repeated requests for payment were met with continued personal advances, which she rejected. Ohiri also claimed she received threats after indicating plans to stage a protest over the unpaid debt.
The matter gained wider attention following a reported confrontation between Umahi and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the FCT Police Command on February 25, 2026.
Ohiri is currently facing arraignment before a magistrate court in Abuja, while activists have gathered in solidarity, calling for due process and justice.
