The Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, has addressed the growing public controversy surrounding claims made by Mrs. Tracy Ohiri, setting the record straight and reaffirming his commitment to due process.
In a press statement issued on March 21, 2026, and signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the Minister clarified the role played by legal practitioner Marshall Abubakar, emphasizing that his involvement in the matter was purely voluntary and driven by goodwill.
According to the statement, Barr. Abubakar acted in good faith with the intention of assisting Mrs. Ohiri in resolving the dispute amicably. The Minister’s office stressed that at no point did the lawyer negotiate or discuss any financial settlement on behalf of the Minister, nor did he receive any money.
The Minister further revealed that while some individuals independently approached Barr. Abubakar to offer support to Mrs. Ohiri, he had maintained two clear conditions for resolving the matter: either the issue should be decided in court or Mrs. Ohiri must provide verifiable evidence, including all relevant communications, to substantiate her claims.
“Following the failure to meet these conditions, particularly the inability to present credible and verifiable evidence, the Minister has directed his legal team to proceed with all court processes,” the statement read.
The statement also disclosed that the Minister had previously indicated that if Mrs. Ohiri could produce complete evidence, including communication records, some associates were willing to contribute up to ₦1 billion in support. However, this remains pending due to the absence of such evidence.
While noting that David Umahi had refrained from responding to the matter for years despite alleged provocations, the statement said recent developments made it necessary to clarify the situation.
The Minister expressed appreciation to Nigerians who have followed the issue closely, noting a growing awareness that public narratives can sometimes be misleading.
Reaffirming his focus on governance, Umahi stated that he remains committed to delivering critical road infrastructure projects across the country and will not be distracted by controversies.
The statement concluded with assurances that the Ministry of Works will continue to pursue national development with transparency, accountability, and dedication.
Leave a Comment