By Amos Aar
The controversy surrounding businesswoman Tracy Ohiri and Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, has taken a dramatic new turn, with fresh allegations now targeting activist-lawyer Marshall Abubakar over an alleged $70,000 settlement that has become the centre of a hot public dispute.
In a series of recent videos, Ohiri claimed that Barrister Marshall, compelled her to record the earlier viral apology in which she withdrew her allegations against Umahi, but allegedly failed to deliver the agreed payment.
The claim directly contradicts Marshall’s detailed public statement in which he insisted that the money, said to be $70,000, was handed over to him by Joseph Ekumankama strictly to facilitate peace, not as an admission of liability by the minister.
Marshall, breaking his silence, dismissed Ohiri’s claims as “falsehood,” maintaining that he acted in good faith throughout the mediation process.
He stated that Ohiri had no documentary evidence, such as contracts, receipts, or communication trails, to substantiate her initial claims against Umahi, a factor he said significantly weakened her legal position.
According to him, Ohiri voluntarily opted for a settlement route after being confronted with the legal risks, including multiple suits already filed against her in Ebonyi State.
He further alleged that her current outbursts stem from dissatisfaction with the outcome of negotiations, particularly her demand for a much higher payout.
The conflicting narratives have intensified mixed discussions about the legal and ethical implications of the unfolding drama, especially around issues of defamation, inducement, and the credibility of recanted testimony.
But another footage, Ohiri said, “You think you guys can bully me. You cannot bully me. Everybody can be scared of you in this Country, but I am not one of them”.
‘It’s unfortunate that all those who called themselves social activists in this Country cannot sit back and see the game you people played. They cannot sit back and look at the evidence very well and see what you people did.
“This is why politicians are dealing with us in this Country because anything they sell to Nigerians, Nigerians fly overboard with it. You cannot sit back and say let us examine this thing very well. Know who is at fault.
“The support I got was too massive. And you guys, he called you together, you went to him and you had a plan on how to turn the hearts of people against me.
“And now you think I will be crying and begging you? Never! Umahi if I call you again make I bend. You have tried to make a fool of.me the first time, but this second time, if I beg you, make I bend.
“If this whole thing is causing this turmoil, don’t you think the hand of God is in it? The hand of God is in it. And we are going somewhere. There is something God wants to do. Yes.
“Go and verify, the hand of God is in everything happening. It doesn’t matter how many of you that is standing with me. It doesn’t matter how many of you that are bullying me out of jealousy. The impression you people have created about me doesn’t matter.
“I stand gallant to challenge Marshall Abubakar, David Umahi; I will challenge you people. Evidence na water. I will get to any length to get justice. Be prepared because I am waiting.
“You told me not to reach out to any activist, yet you them to check up on them. You told me not to tell anybody that I have been paid, yet, you were the one who called them to tell them.
“You told me that you were not going to relay my video until I okay it. Show me where I okayed it for you to release my video.
“You were supposed to get there and they paid you the money and you contacted me and said see how much they brought. Should I collect it? Marshall, show Nigerians where you said whether to collect the money or not.
“It took me one hour in my hotel room to ask you Marshall, how much will I pay you? How much do you want to collect as your legal fee? You said anything from my heart that I should give to you.
“God in heaven knows that inside the vehicle, where you want to give the the vehicle that I rejected, I asked you out of this part payment that you brought, how much is your money?
“You said anything from your heart. I pulled out $2,500 and gave to you from the money. Then, when I got back to Lagos, and I went to my Bank and credited you N3 million. And I paid all the lawyers in your team.
“You know how many lawyers your have in your team. I paid them. I personally transferred money to all of them. Yet, you came here to lie against me”, she said.
From a legal standpoint, senior advocates and public law analysts say the evolving claims raise serious questions under Nigeria’s defamation and criminal jurisprudence.
Legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has consistently maintained in media interviews that false allegations, particularly those that damage reputation, can attract both civil and criminal consequences under Nigerian law.
“In matters of defamation, once a statement is proven to be false and injurious, the law provides remedies in damages, and in some cases, criminal liability may arise,” he said in a recent television appearance on national discourse around reputational harm.
Applying that principle, if it is eventually established that Tracy Ohiri knowingly made unsubstantiated claims against David Umahi, she could face exposure to defamation suits and possible criminal proceedings.
Conversely, senior Nigerian lawyer, Femi Falana has, in separate public interventions on justice administration, warned that any form of inducement, pressure, or backdoor settlement capable of influencing testimony or public statements could raise ethical and legal concerns.
“Any attempt to interfere with the course of justice, whether by inducement or intimidation, is actionable under the law,” Falana has said in prior commentary on high-profile disputes.
Within that context, legal observers argue that if Ohiri’s latest claims, that she was compelled to recant her allegations under a promise of payment, are substantiated, the situation could potentially raise issues bordering on undue influence or obstruction of justice.
Public reactions across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and other platforms have been clearly divided. While some users accuse Ohiri of playin a “victim card,” others insist her claims warrant independent investigation before conclusions are drawn.
Reacting, Rita4Delta in a video on Facebook told Ohiri that “Nigerians have lost confidence in you”, urging her to go and settle privately with Barr Marshall even as she noted that it’s always difficult for Nigerian politicians to settle contractual agreements.
Zekeri Idiris Jnr advised Tracy not to be a sellout like Judas in the Bible, asking why she won’t be happy with a hundred million naira!. “N100 is money that people have in their life time. You had it just a week ago and you are unhappy today. The total money that they were owing you is around over N20 million.
But people cleverly calculated for a period of 12 years and it came down to around 300 million. After negotiations, which none of us was part of, is fair. You have to be careful so that what happened to Judas will not happen to you”.
On her part, OyiGidu described Tracy as a greedy person who wants to use blackmail against Barr Marshall to “make more money”. “Did you mention in your apology letter that you were given money?
“You went and squandered the money and then greed wanted you to send Marshall back for more. You wanted him to become a blackmailer. Unfortunately, he refused and you now want to blackmail him”, OyiGidu opines.
Edo-based civil society advocate, Osazee Edigin, reiterated the need for caution, warning that activists and the public must verify claims thoroughly before aligning with any party.
“This development reinforces the need for due diligence. Not every claimed victim is beyond scrutiny, and not every accused party is automatically guilty,” Edigin said.
Prominent activist Omoyele Sowore, who had earlier supported Ohiri, has yet to issue a detailed reaction to the latest twist, but his previous stance, defending her as a vulnerable individual against state power, has come under renewed scrutiny.
Meanwhile, social media commentator known as VeryDarkMan, in a widely circulated video, criticised Ohiri’s conduct, suggesting that the settlement, regardless of its origin, was facilitated despite weak evidence and should have marked the end of the dispute.
He argued that her renewed agitation appeared driven by dissatisfaction rather than injustice, though his remarks have also been criticised as speculative.
VeryDarkman also wrote on his social media handles: “Now that the account details have officially been provided by Marshall Abubakar,
“Madam Tracy, please kindly transfer the full $70k no deductions to the NGO account so it can be used for charity.
Madam Tracy, if I were you, I’d simply respect myself and make do with what I already have” according to him.
Other commentators, including veteran broadcaster Julius Osifo, have raised critical procedural questions, particularly why the alleged $70,000 was not transparently transferred or accounted for, if indeed it existed.
The case has also stirred broader conversations about professionalism in business dealings, with several analysts emphasising that the absence of formal agreements; contracts, invoices, or written communications, often undermines claims in both legal and public arenas.
As the dispute escalates, legal threats are also emerging. Reports indicate that lawyers representing Umahi are considering further action against Ohiri, potentially reopening the matter in court.
At its core, the saga has evolved from an allegation of misconduct into a complex dispute involving credibility, legal exposure, and public perception.
Whether it ultimately resolves in court or through further negotiation, the case is already shaping discourse on accountability, activism, and the risks of undocumented transactions in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.
If you want, I can also tighten this into a sharper, more punchy feature intro (Sahara-style) or trim it for publication length without losing weight.
