Abati Questions Ohiri’s Allegation as Umahi Denies Hotel Room Towel Claim

Former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati has stirred fresh debate over the sexual harassment allegation levelled against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, after publicly questioning the circumstances surrounding the claim made by businesswoman Tracynither Nicolas Ohiri.

The controversy, which has dominated discussions on social media and political platforms in recent days, centres on Ohiri’s assertion that Umahi made repeated sexual advances toward her and once came into her room with only a towel tied around his waist. Ohiri also alleges that the former Ebonyi State governor owes her ₦250 million for promotional materials supplied during his 2014 governorship campaign.

Reacting to the allegation during a live broadcast on the Arise News Morning Show, Abati expressed reservations about the narrative, focusing particularly on Ohiri’s marital status and the setting of the alleged incident. According to Abati, while allegations of sexual misconduct should be taken seriously, the context raised questions that could not be ignored.

“And again, she’s a married woman. As a married woman, what are you doing in a hotel room with Umahi tying towel?” Abati asked during the programme, a comment that immediately triggered mixed reactions online.

Allegations and Counterclaims

Ohiri, who is involved in the corporate gifts business, has claimed that her relationship with Umahi began on a professional footing. She said she was invited on several occasions to Ebonyi State to make presentations and later to supply campaign-related promotional items when Umahi was preparing to contest for governor.

According to her account, the business arrangement soured when she repeatedly demanded payment for her services. She alleged that instead of settling the debt, Umahi began making personal advances, including asking her to date him. Ohiri said she rejected these advances, insisting that she was married and only interested in being paid for the work done.

She further claimed that after she pressed harder for payment, Umahi became hostile, threatened her via text messages, and eventually blocked her contact. In one of the most contentious aspects of her story, Ohiri alleged that during one of her visits—when she and her staff were accommodated in the same premises—Umahi allegedly entered her room with a towel around his waist and pestered her, forcing her to flee into her staff’s room for safety.

Umahi’s Denial and Legal Action

Umahi has categorically denied all allegations of sexual impropriety and indebtedness. He has described Ohiri’s claims as false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation. The Minister has maintained that he neither attempted to sleep with her nor owes her any money.

Following the public accusations, Ohiri was reportedly detained by the Nigeria Police for three days and is now facing defamation-related charges at an Abuja Magistrate Court. The legal proceedings have added another layer of complexity to the unfolding saga, with observers divided over whether the matter is primarily a contractual dispute, a criminal allegation, or a mixture of both.

Public Reaction and Media Debate

The issue has generated intense reactions across Nigeria’s media landscape. Some commentators argue that Abati’s remarks unfairly shifted scrutiny onto the accuser rather than the accused, while others insist that his questions were legitimate, given the inconsistencies they perceive in Ohiri’s narrative.

Abati, however, maintained that if the matter is fundamentally about unpaid contracts, the appropriate avenue for redress is the court of law, not media dramatization. He warned that turning contractual disputes into public spectacles could amount to contempt of court, especially when legal proceedings are already underway.

As reported by Daily Post, the case continues to polarise public opinion, touching on broader issues of power imbalance, accountability, sexual harassment claims, and the credibility of public accusations in Nigeria’s political space.

With investigations and court processes ongoing, many Nigerians are now watching closely to see whether concrete evidence will emerge to substantiate either side’s claims, or whether the dispute will ultimately be resolved as a civil contractual matter.