The dispute between both parties has been ongoing, with Ohiri previously accusing Umahi of sexual harassment and non-payment of campaign-related debts. She alleged that her repeated demands for payment were met with unwanted advances, threats, and subsequent police actions against her. She was later arrested in Lagos over alleged cyberbullying linked to her online posts and transferred to Abuja, where she was detained by the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal Capital Territory command before being arraigned on defamation charges and granted bail.
As public attention grew, Ohiri later issued a public apology in a viral video, retracting her allegations after intervention by her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar. However, she later released another video claiming she was pressured into the retraction and alleging that a promised settlement was not fulfilled prior to the apology.
In response, Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaz, stated that the Minister has demanded that Ohiri either provide verifiable evidence to support her claims or face legal consequences, with the possibility of a ₦1 billion claim if she substantiates her allegations. He clarified that no direct payment agreement was ever made with her lawyer and insisted that any discussions were purely informal and not binding.
The statement further noted that Umahi had remained silent for years despite repeated accusations but decided to act following recent developments. It added that the Minister has now directed his legal team to proceed with court processes to ensure the matter is resolved if Ohiri fails to present credible evidence to support her claims.