Umahi Debt Dispute: Lawyer Claims Tracy Ohiri Accepted $70,000 Settlement to Retract Allegations

Human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar has responded to accusations made by businesswoman Tracy Ohiri regarding her dispute with Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The controversy, which has drawn public attention in recent weeks, centers on allegations by Ohiri that Umahi owed her money for services linked to his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State. The businesswoman had also alleged harassment and unlawful detention during the dispute.

However, in a statement posted on social media, Abubakar dismissed Ohiri’s recent claims against him as false and misleading. He explained that he and other activists had worked to secure her release when she faced legal troubles connected to the dispute.

According to the lawyer, mediation efforts were initiated to resolve the matter peacefully, with the involvement of prominent individuals including Ireti Kingibe. During the mediation process, Abubakar said Umahi maintained that he did not owe Ohiri any money and insisted that payment would only be considered if she could prove the existence of a contractual agreement.

Abubakar further claimed that during discussions, Ohiri was unable to provide documentary evidence showing that the minister had contracted her services or that she delivered any goods as claimed. Faced with the legal implications of continuing the case without evidence, he said she later agreed to withdraw her allegations.

The lawyer stated that a subsequent meeting was held involving Ohiri, her husband, the minister’s representatives, and mediators. He alleged that Ohiri eventually agreed to issue a retraction and apology in exchange for the termination of legal proceedings against her.

According to Abubakar, after the case was resolved, lawyer Joseph Ekumankama allegedly provided $70,000 to him to pass on to Ohiri as part of a peace arrangement.

He emphasised that the payment was not compensation for any contract nor an admission of liability by Umahi but rather a gesture aimed at settling the matter amicably.

Abubakar also denied benefiting financially from the mediation process, insisting that his role was purely to help prevent further legal escalation.

The lawyer further warned that he may pursue legal action against Ohiri, accusing her of threatening to launch an online campaign to damage his reputation.

The dispute began when Ohiri alleged that Umahi owed her ₦250 million for promotional and printing services during his governorship campaign in Ebonyi State. Umahi has repeatedly denied the claim, describing the allegations as politically motivated.

The case attracted national attention after activist Omoyele Sowore confronted the minister at the police headquarters over what he described as the criminalisation of a civil dispute.

Amid the controversy, Ohiri later released a video publicly retracting her allegations and apologising to Umahi and his family, saying the decision followed consultations with her family and legal advisers.

Despite the apology, the disagreement between Ohiri and her former lawyer continues to generate debate on social media and in legal circles across Nigeria.