Follow Us on Google
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Works, on Wednesday, witnessed a heavy presence of protesters who barricaded its entrance in Abuja over the continued detention of a businesswoman, Tracy Nicolas Ohiri, who alleged that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, owes her over N250 million for campaign materials supplied since 2014.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Leave married women alone”, were also heard singing songs perceived to be derogatory to the personality and office of the minister. The demonstration, according to participants, was aimed at demanding accountability following the financial dispute.
Some of the protesters came dressed in protective gear, apparently anticipating possible confrontation with security operatives, while others stood unprotected but vocal in their demands. The crowd effectively disrupted movement in and out of the ministry premises for several hours as they insisted that the allegations surrounding the debt be thoroughly investigated.
The dispute is linked to claims by Ohiri that she had repeatedly requested payment for services rendered during political campaigns but was allegedly ignored, prompting her to seek public intervention.
Reacting to the allegations, it was reported that the minister authorised Ohiri’s arrest in a move aimed at verifying the authenticity of her claims. The matter subsequently progressed to court proceedings, where Ohiri was remanded at Keffi Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of her bail conditions.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that Ohiri was detained under Case No. CR/12/2026 following a directive issued by Magistrate Court 7. The court reportedly ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody until her bail requirements were met.
Other News
In compliance with the court’s warrant, NCoS officers attempted to transfer the defendant to Keffi Correctional Centre. However, the service alleged that their lawful operations were obstructed by a group of individuals, including persons who identified themselves as civil society activists.
According to the correctional authority, repeated appeals for calm were ignored as the group prevented officers from executing the court order. The defendant was later moved to a nearby police station for temporary protective custody overnight.
The following day, February 27, 2026, NCoS officers reportedly attempted again to transfer her to the correctional facility, but encountered similar resistance. During the process, Ohiri reportedly fell ill and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. The situation reportedly worsened as the crowd grew larger and intensified efforts to stop her lawful transfer.
Senior officers and medical personnel deployed from NCoS headquarters were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and harassment while attempting to perform their statutory duties. The service described the actions as deliberate obstruction of justice and disobedience to lawful authority.
NCoS also dismissed circulating claims that detention documents were forged or irregularly processed, describing the allegations as false and misleading. The agency insisted that the “Warrant of Commitment to Prison on Remand” and “Order to Reproduce Prisoner” were duly issued and signed by a competent court, processed in line with established legal procedures.
“At no time was any document forged, altered, or manipulated. The service operates strictly within lawful court directives and maintains verifiable custody records subject to institutional oversight,” the agency stated.
At the time of filing this report, the Ministry of Works was still preparing its official statement on the matter.
