The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 29, 2026, for the arraignment of Tracynither “Tracy” Ohiri over alleged cyberstalking and defamation of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Justice James Omotosho gave the date on Friday after the prosecution failed for the second time to produce Ohiri in court to take her plea.
13-COUNT CHARGE
The Nigeria Police Force filed a 13-count charge against Ohiri, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/172/2026, before the court. The charges were brought under the Cybercrimes Act.
According to the charge sheet filed March 31, 2026 by police counsel Wisdom Madaki, Ohiri allegedly used her TikTok account and other platforms to publish false claims against Umahi between 2023 and 2025.
The prosecution alleges that on October 16, 2023, Ohiri posted that Umahi threatened to kill her if she entered Ebonyi State. Other counts cite TikTok videos from March 8 and May 3, 2024, accusing the minister of victimising her for refusing sexual advances and tying down her business capital for 10 years.
A March 28, 2025 post allegedly circulated on Sahara Reporters and social media claimed Umahi owed her over N200 million for campaign materials, with non-payment tied to her refusal of sexual advances. The police say Ohiri knew the statements were false and intended to damage the minister’s reputation.
JUDGE WARNS PROSECUTION
At Friday’s hearing, neither Ohiri nor her lawyer appeared. Madaki told the court that all efforts to serve the defendant had failed. He said the Investigating Police Officer traveled to Lagos on April 20 and spent three days trying to locate her, but “her door was locked.”
Justice Omotosho queried the prosecution: “What effort have you made? Don’t just come to tell me you have made all efforts. You cannot abandon your case here.”
The judge had on April 16, 2026 threatened to strike out the charge following the prosecution’s failure to produce Ohiri for arraignment. On Friday, he instead adjourned the matter to April 29 to allow the police more time to serve the defendant.
BACKGROUND OF DISPUTE
Ohiri claims Umahi owes her N250 million for campaign materials supplied when he was party chairman and Ebonyi governor. She also accused him of sexual harassment.
Umahi has denied both allegations. Through his media aide Francis Nwaze, the minister said he challenged Ohiri to provide “complete evidence, logs and communications,” adding that some friends would contribute N1 billion to her if proven. He said she has not provided evidence and has directed his legal team to proceed in court.
Lawyer Marshall Abubakar, who previously mediated, said Ohiri had agreed to recant and received $70,000 from Umahi associate Joseph Ekumankama as a peace gesture, not admission of liability. He claimed she resumed the allegations because she wanted N300 million.
Activist Omoyele Sowore has described the case as a civil dispute criminalised, alleging Ohiri was “illegally arrested” in Lagos, flown to Abuja, and detained over “cyberbullying” claims.
SEPARATE CASE
Ohiri was separately arraigned at Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja, for alleged defamation of Umahi. She pleaded not guilty and was granted N1 million bail with two sureties. That case was adjourned to April 28, 2026.
The Federal High Court will reconvene April 29 for Ohiri to take her plea on the 13-count charge.
