- Safiu Kehinde
Traceynither Ohiri, the businesswoman who accused the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, of N205 million debt, has retracted her allegations as she tendered an apology to the Minister.
NPO Reported that the debt scandal had last month escalated into full public spectacle following a viral video of Ohiri engaging in fierce face-off with Umahi at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command where she was detained.
The video had sparked public outrage while also attracting interventions of human right activists.
Prior to his arraignment Ohiri would in a Press briefing further accuse Umahi of refusing to pay her for the campaign material she supplied to him during his campaign for Ebonyi State governorship election in 2014.
She alleged that the Minister withheld the money after rejecting his sexual advances.
Ohiri further disclosed been threatened to be dealt with like the five NELAN engineers gruesomely murdered in Ebonyi.
This would be followed by her release of evidence of her transaction and conversations with Umahi.
The case would however suffer a huge setback on Wednesday evening as the businesswoman released a video apologising to Umahi-a decision she claimed to have made after consultation with her family, friends and legal team.
Ohiri, in the video shared on X, sued for peace as she denied Umahi’s threat to deal with her like the murdered NELAN engineers if she visits Ebonyi.
“Good day Nigerians, after proper consultation with my family, friends, and legal team, and a painstaking review of the event of the past week, I have come to the conclusion that it is important we give peace a chance.
“I admit that Engineer David Umahi, the former Governor of Ebonyi State and the current Minister of Works, did not inform me that what happened to the NELAN Engineers will happen to me if I visit Ebonyi state.
“I do not know the NELAN engineers except what I read about them on the internet and what I heard from people.
“I apologise to Engineer Dicken David Umahi for the embarrassment the allegation may have caused him and his family.” She said.
Ohiri further apologised to Umahi’s family as well as her family and everyone who felt hurt by the issue.
While denying her initial claim of Umahi making sexual advances to her, the businesswoman also disclosed that the there was never a formal agreement between her and the Minister over the alleged N205 million debt.
“I sincerely apologise to his family, to my own family, friends, and everyone who felt hurt and embarrassed with what happened.
“I never said Engineer Dicken David Umahi tied towel to meet me in a hotel room. I apologise if the allegations have been magnified and taken out of context.
“My family and I have decided to move on and face our lives and business. I will want everyone to respect this decision.
“On the issue of the contract, I admit there was no formal agreement between David Umahi and me.” Ohiri said.
She claimed that the delivered campaign material might have been orchestrated by Umahi’s aides with his knowledge.
“Although the job was done and delivered to his aides, they might have used the material for campaign purposes without informing him and without him knowing about it.
“I apologise sincerely for any misgivings that this might have caused. She added.