Sowore confronts Works Minister David Umahi at FCT Police Command over the detention of a woman accused of cyberbullying in a N250m dispute.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on Wednesday confronted Minister of Works David Umahi at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Abuja over the detention of a woman accused of cyberbullying.
The controversy centers on Tracy Nither Nicolas Ohiri, who was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday and subsequently transferred to Abuja. Police authorities charged her with cyberbullying following social media posts in which she alleged that Umahi owed her N250 million for campaign materials supplied in 2014. She also accused the minister of making unwanted advances years ago allegations he has firmly denied.
Ohiri’s arrest and relocation to Abuja sparked public debate, particularly after Sowore arrived at the FCT Command alongside lawyers and supporters. The activist criticized what he described as the criminalization of a civil dispute, arguing that a claim over unpaid debts should not warrant detention under cybercrime laws.
According to Sowore, the police had arranged an internal meeting at the command where Umahi was present during Ohiri’s questioning. He alleged that the minister used the opportunity to intimidate and pressure the detained woman. However, Umahi’s associates rejected those claims, stating that his presence followed a formal petition over defamatory online statements and insisting that due process was being followed.
The situation has fueled broader discussions about Nigeria’s cybercrime regulations and whether public officials may be leveraging state institutions in personal disputes. As of Wednesday evening, Ohiri remained in custody, with reports indicating that bail had not yet been granted.
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Observers say the unfolding case could test the boundaries between civil claims, reputational protection, and the application of cyberbullying laws in Nigeria.