By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, has moved to set the record straight on the growing controversy surrounding allegations and counterclaims involving Mrs. Tracy Ohiri, declaring that the matter must now be resolved through due legal process.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the Minister said it had become necessary to address the issues publicly in the interest of truth and clarity, despite initially choosing to remain silent.
The statement clarified that legal practitioner, Marshall Abubakar, who had been linked to the matter, acted in good faith and was solely motivated by a genuine desire to assist Mrs. Ohiri in resolving the dispute amicably. It stressed that his involvement was entirely selfless and not driven by any financial interest.
According to the Minister’s office, Barrister Abubakar neither discussed nor negotiated any monetary settlement with Mrs. Ohiri, although some well-meaning individuals independently reached out to him with intentions to offer assistance.
The Minister reiterated that two clear conditions had been set for resolving the matter: either it should be pursued in court or Mrs. Ohiri should provide verifiable evidence, including all relevant communications, to substantiate her claims.
The statement further emphasized that Barrister Abubakar maintained a high level of integrity throughout the process and did not request or receive any money from the Minister at any time.
Following what the Minister described as a failure to meet these conditions particularly the inability to present credible and verifiable evidence, he has now directed his legal team to proceed with court processes to establish the truth.
It also revealed that the Minister had earlier indicated that if Mrs. Ohiri could produce complete evidence, including logs and communications from the period in question, some associates were willing to contribute as much as N1 billion in support. However, he noted that such evidence has yet to be provided.
The Minister acknowledged that he had endured years of public criticism and provocations without responding, explaining that his silence was a deliberate effort to remain focused on his responsibilities in public service. However, he said recent developments made it imperative to address the matter.
He expressed appreciation to Nigerians who have critically examined the situation, noting a growing awareness that not all public narratives reflect the full reality of events.
Reaffirming his commitment to national development, the Minister said he remains focused on delivering critical road infrastructure projects across the country, adding that his administration will not be distracted from its mandate of improving connectivity, driving economic growth, and advancing national development.
He assured Nigerians of continued dedication to transparency, service, and the successful implementation of the government’s transformation agenda.
