The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the controversy involving Mrs Tracy Ohiri will be addressed through legal means unless credible evidence is presented to support her claims.
Umahi made this known in a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, in response to ongoing public discussions involving Mrs Ohiri and her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar.
According to the statement, the clarification was necessary to address what it described as misconceptions and conflicting narratives surrounding the issue.
The minister noted that Abubakar acted in good faith during his involvement and did not request or receive any form of financial compensation.
He also stated that there were no discussions regarding payment to Mrs Ohiri, although some associates and well-wishers had independently expressed interest in offering financial support.
Umahi maintained that the matter would either be resolved in court or settled if verifiable evidence—such as documented communications and records—is presented to support the allegations, noting that such evidence has yet to be provided.
He has now directed his legal team to begin court proceedings to establish the facts.
The statement also revealed that the minister had earlier indicated that associates were willing to raise ₦1 billion if Mrs Ohiri could provide substantial proof of her claims, adding that the requested documentation is still being awaited.
Umahi further explained that he had initially avoided making public comments despite repeated allegations, as he was focused on his responsibilities in public service and infrastructure development. However, he said recent developments made it necessary to respond.
He expressed appreciation to Nigerians following the matter and reassured the public that the controversy would not distract him from ongoing efforts to deliver road infrastructure projects across the country, reaffirming his commitment to service delivery, economic growth, and national development.
