Nigerian businesswoman, Tracy Nicolas Ohiri, has reportedly collapsed and is currently receiving urgent medical treatment at a hospital in Abuja, following her arrest on directives linked to the Minister of Works, David Umahi. Her health allegedly deteriorated significantly while in detention, leading to her sudden loss of consciousness and emergency hospitalization. A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed Ohiri unconscious and receiving intravenous fluids.

Ohiri had earlier publicly accused Minister Umahi of refusing to pay her for goods and services supplied to him over 12 years ago, before he assumed the ministerial position. She alleged that these goods were supplied directly to his residence in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Ohiri further claimed that Umahi unlawfully detained her and used senior police officers to harass and intimidate her after she rejected his alleged romantic advances. She made these accusations public on social media, prompting police action against her.

Following her arrest, Ohiri was brought before a Magistrate Court in Wuse 6, Abuja, where reports indicated that the police were seeking to remand her in prison custody. Addressing journalists after her court appearance, a visibly distressed Ohiri reiterated her claims, stating, “Yes, David Umahi, pay me my money. I'm not afraid of you. You can lie all you want.” She explicitly named top police officers, including Akin Fakorede, as being deployed by the minister to orchestrate her arrest and continued detention. She also alleged that officers overseeing her detention were relaying information about her condition to Umahi and his personal assistant, though she maintained her resolve, declaring, “David, I can never be broken. You will pay me my money.”

Ohiri further revealed distressing conditions in her cell, claiming that four men from Ebonyi State had been transferred there on Umahi's instructions. She appealed to Nigerians for justice, emphasizing her struggles as a working woman and demanding her payment with interest, given the 12-year delay. She recounted meeting Umahi initially as a private businessman and later when he was Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.

The situation escalated dramatically at the Wuse General Hospital after Ohiri's emergency admission. Despite having been granted bail and fulfilling all stipulated conditions by the Magistrate court on Thursday, armed correctional officers reportedly from Suleja, Kuje, and Keffi custodial centers, stormed the hospital in approximately ten vehicles on Friday in an attempt to re-arrest her. She had reportedly slumped and lost consciousness during this attempt. It was later alleged that the arrest warrants presented by these officers, shortly after Magistrate Ibraheem Ope granted her bail, were fake.

A tense standoff ensued between the correctional officers and a crowd of concerned Nigerians, activists, and social media influencers who gathered at the hospital. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, Martins Otse (popularly known as VeryDarkMan), and Senator Ireti Kingibe were among those who intervened, insisting that Ohiri be allowed to receive medical attention. Their intervention, alongside other citizens, was crucial in preventing her re-arrest and ensuring she remained under medical care. Following hours of tension, officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service formally released Ohiri to continue her medical treatment.

Reacting to the development, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, called for calm, dialogue, and strict adherence to the rule of law. She commended Nigerians for their civic vigilance and unequivocally condemned the use of force or intimidation to silence individuals, particularly women, who speak out about harassment or misconduct. The Senator appealed to Minister Umahi to engage with Ohiri in good faith to resolve the issues through dialogue. She also announced her intention to personally seek an audience with both parties upon her return to Abuja, aiming to facilitate a resolution guided by justice, dignity, and the rule of law. The entire incident has sparked widespread public discourse, with many Nigerians demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional rights.