Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has denied claims of any financial agreement in the dispute involving businesswoman Tracy Ohiri and lawyer Marshal Abubakar, insisting that no payment was ever negotiated.
Umahi, who addressed the controversy through a statement issued by his media aide and sighted by ENigeria Newspaper on Saturday, Francis Nwaze, said the matter would be resolved through legal channels, following what he described as a failure by Ohiri to provide verifiable evidence to support her claims.
The minister’s response follows renewed allegations by Ohiri, who claimed she was pressured into retracting earlier accusations and accused Abubakar of withholding funds she was promised.
Clarifying Abubakar’s role, the statement maintained that the lawyer acted without any financial motive.
“Marshall acted in good faith and was motivated solely by a desire to assist Mrs Ohiri. His involvement was entirely selfless and driven by a genuine effort to resolve the matter amicably.
“At no time did Barr. Marshall discusses or negotiates payment of any money to Mrs Ohiri. However, some associates and well-meaning individuals independently approached him with the intention of helping her.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Honourable Minister had clearly stated two conditions for resolving the matter: either the issue should be determined in court, or Mrs. Ohiri should provide verifiable evidence, including all relevant communications, to substantiate her claims.
“It must also be emphasized that Barr. Marshall Abubakar conducted himself with utmost decency and integrity throughout. He neither requested nor received any money from the Honourable Minister at any point.
“Following the failure to meet the stated conditions, particularly the inability to provide credible and verifiable evidence, the Minister has directed his legal team to proceed with all court processes to ensure that the truth is fully established.
“The Minister further acknowledged that he had indicated to Barr. Marshall that if Mrs. Ohiri could provide complete evidence, logs and communications from the period in question, some friends and associates were willing to contribute the sum of One Billion Naira (N1b). The Minister is still waiting for the above.
“It is also worth noting that for several years, the Minister chose to remain silent despite persistent provocations and public attacks. This restraint was deliberate and guided by a commitment to focus on state and national service rather than distractions. However, recent developments have made it necessary to respond.
“The Honourable Minister therefore extends sincere appreciation to Nigerians who have taken their time to examine the facts and arrive at an informed understanding of the situation. There is growing awareness that not everyone who presents themselves as a victim truly is one, and that, in some cases, narratives are deliberately inverted.
“The Honourable Minister remains fully committed to his mandate. He will not be distracted from the ongoing work of delivering critical road infrastructure across the country. The focus remains on results, service, and ensuring that Nigerians continue to benefit from projects that improve connectivity, economic growth, and national development.
“We assure Nigerians that this administration will continue to pursue its transformation agenda with dedication, transparency, and an unwavering sense of responsibility”.
