Protest Erupts at Ministry of Works as Minister Umahi Faces Unpaid Debt Allegations [VIDEOS]

Protesters on Wednesday stormed the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, demanding accountability from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, amid ongoing unpaid debt allegations.

The protesters, some wearing protective gear over fears of tear‑gas use, called on the minister to “leave married women alone” and answer what they described as longstanding grievances.

The demonstration is linked to a widely reported dispute involving Tracy Nicolas Ohiri, a businesswoman who claimed that the minister owed her money relating to services and agreements dating back several years.

Ms. Ohiri’s allegation of an unpaid sum, reportedly about ₦250 million, has drawn public attention and criticism after she was arrested and arraigned on defamation charges, a move condemned by rights activists as an attempt to use state power to settle a civil matter.

Human rights activists, including Omoyele Sowore, publicly confronted the minister at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja over the incident, arguing that debt disputes between private citizens and public officials should be handled through civil courts, not police action.

As of the time of this report, the Ministry of Works has not commented on the protest.