The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has instructed his legal team to commence legal proceedings against businesswoman Tracy Ohiri following fresh allegations she made regarding unpaid campaign-related funds and alleged coercion.

Ohiri had previously accused the minister on social media of owing her N280 million for campaign materials supplied during his time as party chairman. She also alleged sexual harassment in posts that later gained wide public attention.

After her initial claims, security agencies arrested and prosecuted her. Her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, later became involved in the matter, after which Ohiri deleted her posts and issued a public apology, withdrawing her earlier accusations.

However, she has since re-emerged with new claims, alleging that she was pressured to retract her statements and that promises of payment made to her were not fulfilled.

In a recent video released on Friday, Ohiri alleged that her lawyer influenced her to record the retraction and suggested that the minister had agreed to compensate her, prompting her to restate her allegations.

Responding to the renewed claims, Umahi, through a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaz (Francis Nwaz), rejected the allegations and maintained that the matter had been misrepresented.

According to the statement, the minister said he had earlier informed Abubakar during his intervention that any resolution would depend on either a court determination or the presentation of verifiable evidence, including communications and records related to the claims.

He also stated that associates had at some point expressed willingness to support Ohiri financially—up to N1 billion—provided she could substantiate her allegations with credible documentation, a condition he said had not been fulfilled.

The statement further emphasized that Abubakar acted independently and did not negotiate or receive any payment on behalf of the minister, adding that his involvement was purely aimed at resolving the dispute amicably.

Umahi’s camp maintained that, due to the inability to provide supporting evidence and the continuation of public allegations, legal action had now become necessary to resolve the dispute through the courts.

The minister also noted that he had largely refrained from responding to earlier accusations in order to remain focused on his official duties, but said recent developments made it important to address the matter publicly.

He reaffirmed his commitment to his responsibilities at the Ministry of Works, stating that his administration remains focused on delivering infrastructure projects and national development priorities despite the ongoing controversy.