- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has denied owing Nigerian businesswoman, Tracey Ohiri, alleged N205 million unpaid debt.
Umahi made this known while addressing newsmen during a project supervision at the weekend over the unpaid debt scandal.
NPO Reported that a video of Ohiri and Umahi had surfaced online last with the businesswoman, who was arrested and detained at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command under the alleged directive of the minister, challenging him at the police conference room.
Ohiri would on the following day recounted her ordeal, narrating how Umahi had refused to pay her after delivering his governorship campaign materials in 2014.
In a Press briefing held shortly before her arraignment, the businesswoman claimed Umahi had refused to pay her after she rejected his advances towards her.
She also recounted how the former Ebonyi governor had threatened her over her persistent demand for her money.
He also maintained that he is unbothered with narratives flying across social media over the scandal.
Reacting to the allegation, Umahi held that he owed nobody all through hie eight years tenure as governor.
“I owe nobody. I presided over both men and women, and nobody never said I harassed him. I was governor for eight years and I did fantastic infrastructure.
“So, nobody can come and say I owe her. What you read on social media, I’m not worried about it. It makes me stronger and I’ve fought many battles. This is not an issue.” He said.
On Ohiri’s allegation of making sexual advance to her for over 12 years, Umahi refuted the claim while taunting Kogi state lawmaker, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who he claimed cannot make such allegation against a man.
“There is nothing wrong to say you are chasing a woman. But if it is Natasha that is accusing me of chasing her, my face will be bolder.
“No anyhow person that will accuse this handsome man chasing her for 12 years.
“That person must be the queen of England because even one man cannot chase Senator Natasha for 12 years.” He said.
Umahi described the scandal as just another content to keep the social media alive.
“It’s just to make the social media to be alive. But I believe we can turn our attention to the war in Iran now and allow Umahi to rest.” The minister added.