A Nigerian businesswoman, Tracy Ohiri, has accused her lawyer of coercing her into issuing a public apology to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over a long-running payment dispute.
Ohiri made the allegation in a viral video on Thursday, claiming that her legal representative, Marshall Abubakar, pressured and misled her into recording the apology. According to her, the lawyer assured her that she would receive full payment for goods she supplied more than a decade ago once the apology was made.
The controversy began after Ohiri publicly accused Umahi of failing to pay for items she said were delivered for political campaign activities several years ago. The allegation quickly gained attention on social media, with many Nigerians expressing support for the businesswoman and demanding accountability.
However, the narrative shifted when a video surfaced showing Ohiri privately apologising to the minister, sparking speculation that a ₦100 million settlement had been reached between both parties.
In her latest statement, Ohiri denied receiving any such payment and insisted that she was deceived into making the apology. She said she later realised the video had been released without the promised resolution to her claims.
The businesswoman has now called on the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate the conduct of her lawyer, alleging that his actions were unethical and amounted to intimidation.
The dispute has reignited discussions around legal ethics, political influence, and the role of lawyers in disputes involving powerful public officials in Nigeria. Analysts say the case highlights growing tensions between public activism, legal representation, and political accountability in the country.
