Lawyer threatens legal action against businesswoman over false claims

Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, Marshal Abubakar, has threatened to take legal action against a businesswoman, Tracy Ohiri, over her false claims against him.

Ohiri is a businesswoman and entrepreneur, who was in the news recently for the wrong reason. He accused Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, of sexual harassment and unpaid campaign-related debt.

In a recent video, she alleged that she was coerced into retracting her claims against the minister and promised payment that was never fulfilled. She added that the lawyer pressured her to record the retraction and told her that Umahi had agreed to compensate her.

But Abubakar has dismissed Ohiri’s claims as false and misleading, insisting that his actions throughout their engagement were lawful and in good faith.

He explained in a statement that he played a key role in mobilising prominent individuals, including Ireti Kingibe and activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside other concerned citizens, to ensure that Ohiri was not unlawfully detained and that her fundamental right to free speech was upheld.

He noted that sustained legal and civic interventions led to her being granted bail, thereby avoiding incarceration.

The lawyer disclosed that subsequent mediation efforts uncovered significant gaps in Ohiri’s claims, particularly the lack of verifiable evidence to support any contractual relationship or service delivery involving the minister.

According to him, despite multiple opportunities, no proof was presented to substantiate the allegations, adding that, in a bid to resolve the matter amicably, a peace arrangement was facilitated, during which $70,000 was given to Ohiri strictly as a goodwill gesture.

“The payment did not constitute compensation or an admission of liability by any party,” the lawyer stressed, adding that the arrangement could be independently verified.

He also clarified that he did not derive any personal financial benefit from the process, accusing Ohiri of continuing to make false allegations and resorting to threats and misrepresentation despite the resolution efforts.

The human rights lawyer warned that he would take appropriate legal steps to protect his reputation and integrity.