Abuja — Tension flared at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday as rights activist Omoyele Sowore confronted the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the detention of a woman who accused the minister of owing her N250 million.
Sowore shared footage of the encounter on his X account, stating that the incident occurred inside a conference hall at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja.
The detained woman, Tracynither Nicolas Ohiri, had accused Umahi of failing to repay an alleged N250 million debt spanning over 12 years. She also claimed that the minister solicited sexual favours from her — allegations that have intensified the controversy.
Ohiri is currently being held over charges of cyberbullying the minister.
In the video posted online, Ohiri was seen moving toward Umahi before being restrained by individuals in the room. The minister attempted to exit the venue but paused after Sowore called out, “Minister,” prompting a brief handshake between the two men.
Sowore told Umahi he should not deploy police personnel to settle what he described as a personal matter. Shortly after, the minister’s aides intervened and escorted him out of the hall.
In his post, Sowore alleged that police operatives had “effectively set up shop” for the minister to harass the woman over what he described as a civil dispute.
According to him, Ohiri was arrested in Lagos on allegations of cyberbullying, flown to Abuja, and detained over claims that fundamentally relate to a financial disagreement.
“Rather than treat the matter as such, the police escalated it into a criminal spectacle,” Sowore wrote.
The incident has sparked fresh debate over the use of law enforcement in disputes involving public officials, with observers calling for transparency and due process as investigations continue.
